2IO FIELD NOTES IN SEED TIME. 



cribed to it the power of communicating with hid- 

 den metals and waters underground. 



Another example of seed wrapping, and one with 

 which Nature has taken much pains, is the apple. 

 A tree loaded with the shining, sun-painted fruit 

 is a gorgeous spectacle in the autumn landscape. 

 Often in our walks across wooded pasture lands 

 we come upon what are called in New England 

 Indian orchards. They perhaps grew from the 

 seeds of an agreeable " chance acquaintance " that 

 had touched the palates of the dusky hunters, who 

 knew not the fact since discovered, that not more 

 than one seed in ten thousand will produce a fruit 

 so desirable, or like the original. 



What tricks these apples of old orchards play on 

 mankind ! How fair this specimen that I hold in 

 my hand, is to look upon ! Its sides are beauti- 

 fully polished, and its cheeks are ruddy with the 

 vigor which its undomestic, savage life gives. No 

 worm-holes mar its beauty. The coddling moths 

 knew, if the stroller did not, that underneath the 

 fair skin the heart was too harsh and ill-tempered to 

 nourish her tender larva child, and so passed it by, 

 and did not lay her eggs on the tempting calyx. 

 On the ground are spread circles of white and red 

 and yellow fruit. The crickets are epicureans and 



