CHAPTER VI 
IN LILAC TIDE 
“ Ere Man is aware 
That the Spring is here 
The Flowers have found it out.” - 
■ — Ancient Chinese Saying. 
FLOWER opens, and lo! another 
Year,” is the beautiful and sug- 
gestive legend on an old vessel 
found in the Catacombs. Since 
these words were written, how 
many years have begun ! how many flowers have 
opened ! and yet nature has never let us weary 
of spring and spring flowers. My garden knows 
well the time o’ the year. It needs no almanac to 
count the months. 
“The untaught Spring is wise 
In Cowslips and Anemonies.” T 
While I sit shivering, idling, wondering when I 
can “ start the garden ” — lo, there are Snowdrops 
and spring starting up to greet me. 
Ever in earliest spring are there days when there 
is no green in grass, tree, or shrub ; but when the 
garden lover is conscious that winter is gone and 
spring is waiting. There is in every garden, in every 
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