282 
RURAL HOURS. 
a pyramidal liead, lias fragrant leaves. Another is common to 
both Europe and America ; this is one of the smaller and insignfi- 
cant kinds, but the only plant of the family found on both conti- 
nents. Perhaps the golden-rods are not quite so luxuriant with 
us, and in the lower counties ; the larger and more showy kinds 
seem more abundant in the valley of the Mohawk than upon our 
hills. Still, they are common enough here, lining all the fences 
just now. The silver-rod, or Solidar/o bicolor, abounds in our 
neighborhood ; the bees are very fond of it ; at this season, and 
even much later, you often find them harrcsting the honey of this 
flower, three or four bees on one spike. 
As for the Michaelmas daisies, they can scarcely thrive better 
anywhere than in our oim region — common as possible in all the 
fields and woods. There would seem to be a greater variety 
among these flowers than in any other family except the grasses ; 
botanists count some hundred and thirty American asters, and of 
these, about one-foui’th belong to this part of the country. The 
difference between many of these is very slight, scarcely percep- 
tible to the casual observer ; but others, again, are very strongly 
marked. We all note that some are quite tall, others low ; that 
some bear very small blossoms, others large and showy floAvers ; 
some are Avhite, others pinkish, others grayish, those purple, these 
blue. Their hearts vary also m color, even upon the same plants, 
accordinsr to the a<re of the different flowers, the centre beinff 
either yellow, dark reddish purple, or pale green ; and this enli- 
vens the clusters very much. The leaves, also, are widely differ- 
ent in size and form. All this variety, added to their cheerful 
abundance, crives interest to this common flower, and makes it a 
favorite Avith those Avho live in the country. They remam so long 
