SPRING.— PLEASANT WALKS. 
35 
along the roadsides, and about the springs. This year, the first 
grass that turned green within view, was beneath a tuft of young 
locusts, and it now continues some shades brighter than all about 
it, though for what reason one cannot say. Possibly it may be 
owing to the fact that the locust leaves decay soon after falling, 
and thus nourish the grass ; all traces of them soon disappear ; 
this is also the case with the foliage of the apple, while that of 
many other trees lies about the roots for months, or is blown 
away by the winds. The cattle, both cows and horses, seem 
partial to the grass beneath the locusts ; it is amusing to watch 
them make their way in and out among a grove of young locusts 
armed with thorns ; they don't like these at all, but still the grass 
tempts them in, and after feeding there, you may see them back- 
ing very carefully out again. Some of the trees have a touch of 
life upon their branches, though no green is yet perceptible ; but 
the bark on the young twigs looks glossy, and the spray thickens 
with the swelling buds ; the elm and soft maple flowers, the cat- 
kins of the alder and poplars, and the downy heads of some of 
the sallow tribe are budding. 
Charming walk. Went out with the hope of finding some 
flowers, but were unsuccessful; none of the buds were open 
enough to show the coloring of a blossom. Saw two butterflies 
on the highway — a brown, and a black and yellow. The cedar 
birds have come ; they winter in the State, but never, I believe, 
among our hills. Although disappointed in our search for flow- 
ers, the view of the lake was enjoyment enough for one day ; 
standing on the hill-side within the woods, we looked down be- 
neath an archway of green branches, and between noble living 
columns of pine and hemlock, upon the blue waters below, as 
