robin's plantain and the sheep sorrel have succeeded the early
everlasting; satin grasses in the moist soil of the open woodlands where
the fine white flowers of the Canada anemone blow, and slough grass in
the marshy meadows where the white-crossed flowers of the sharp spring
are fading, and the woolly stem of the bitter boneset is lengthening;
reed grass and floating manna grass in the swamps where the broad arrow
leaves of the sagittaria fringe the shore and the floating leaves and
fragrant blossoms of the water lilies adorn the pond. The three days'
rain beginning with a soft drizzle and increasing into a steady storm
which drives against the face with cutting force and shakes in sheets
like waving banners across the wind-swept prairie only adds more variety
to the beauties of the grass; and when the still, sweet morning comes,
the pure green prairies make us feel that all stain of sin and shame has
been washed from the world.

Where the grasses grow the best, there Providence has provided most
abundantly for the wealth and the comfort of mankind. The rich verdure of
the meadows is the visible sign of the fruitful soil beneath the
fattening clouds above. The clover and the early hay fill the June fields
with fragrance and the grass in the parks and lawns invite toil-worn
bodies to rest and comfort. What wonder Bryant wished to die in June, the
month when the grasses tenderly creep over the mounds above tired dust
and gently soothe the grief of the loved ones left behind.

* * * * *

The cold May seemed to detract little from the beauty and interest of the
woodlands. The warblers, the humming bird, the tanager, the bob-o-link,
the ovenbird, the vireos, the chat, the red start, the oriole, the
dickcissel, the black-billed cuckoo, all greeted their friends as