be ruthlessly fought--to be cut down, sawed, split, burned--anything to
be rid of them. The ideal in making a home place was to push the forest
as far away from it as possible. But now, when I go to the woods, it is
like going among old and treasured friends, and with riper acquaintance
the trees come to take on, curiously, a kind of personality, so that I
am much fonder of some trees than of others, and instinctively seek out
the companionship of certain trees in certain moods, as one will his
friends.

I love the unfolding beeches in spring, and the pines in winter; the
elms I care for afar off, like great aloof men, whom I can admire; but
for friendly confidences give me an apple tree in an old green meadow.



[Illustration: For friendly confidences give me an apple tree in an old
green meadow.]

In this more complete understanding I have been much aided by getting
hold of my friends of the hedges and hills in the new ways I have
described. At times I even feel that I have become a fully accepted
member of the Fraternity of the Living Earth, for I have already
received many of the benefits which go with that association; and I know
now for a certainty that it makes no objection to its members because
they are old, or sad, or have sinned, but welcomes them all alike.

The essential taste of the cherry and peach and all their numerous
relatives is, in variation, that of the peach pit, so that the whole
tribe may be easily recognized, though it was some time before I could
tell with certainty the peach from the cherry. The oak shoot, when