282 Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 



And so his household, one and all, 

 Enjoyed the fruit while sound; 



And eating still the ripest first, 



Had some when May came round." 



THE APPLE BARREL. 



"It stood in the cellar low and dim, 



Where the cobwebs swept and swayed, 

 Holding the store from bough and limb, 



At the feet of autumn laid. 

 And oft, when the days were short and drear, 



And the north wind shrieked and roared, 

 We children sought in the corner here; 



And drew on the toothsome hoard. 



For thus through the long, long winter-time, 



It answered our every call 

 With wine of the summer's golden prime 



Sealed by the hand of fall. 

 The best there was of the earth and air, 



Of rain and sun and breeze, 

 Changed to a pippin sweet and rare, 



By the art of the faithful trees. 



A wonderful barrel was this, had we 



Its message but rightly heard, 

 Filled with the tales of wind and bee. 



Of cricket and moth and bird ; 

 Rife with the bliss of the fragrant June 



When skies were soft and blue ; 

 Thronged with the dreams of a harvest moon 



0*er fields drenched deep with dew. 



Oh ! homely barrel, Fd fain essay, 



Your marvelous skill again ; 

 Take me back to the past, I pray; 



As willingly now as then- 

 Back to the tender morns and eves, 



The noontides warm and still, 

 The fleecy clouds and the spangled leaves 



Of the orchard over the hill." 



— Edwin L. Sabtn, 



