14 
UNAPPECIATED FLOWERS 
While the obdurate frost still holds the bulbs and 
roots of early flowers in its rigid grasp, many trees 
seem determined to respond to the promptings of 
the season. In and about the city the flower buds of 
the Soft Maple are freely opening and studding the 
intricacy of twigs with bristling tufts and bunches. 
Where the tracery of small branches was free and 
open a few days ago the view is now obstructed by 
the accumulation of small, unappreciated flowers. 
But they are real flowers, and that brings them into 
fellowship with the season of awakening life. Flowers 
are associated in our minds with the richest textures, 
and with colours surpassing fancy in their effulgence 
and delicacy. But the sturdy branches overhead have 
a floral richness of their own, modest and unadorned, 
yet claiming a place in the scheme of perpetual trans- 
mission. In spite of the forbidding aspect of the 
season, the Soft Maple flowers have already unfolded, 
the more vigorous and eager male trees defying the 
chilling reception of lingering snow. The female 
trees are more reluctant and hesitating, content to 
come forth only in the most favoured localities. This 
exclusive arrangement is by no means universal with 
