" Nearly 300 of this orchid were found in
our wooded garden this season.
In the early spring, several deer are seen crossing the field just a
little distance from the house. They like to drink at the brooks and
nip off the buds of the lilac trees. Foxes, alas, abound.
Pheasants, quail, partridges are quite tame, perhaps because we feed
them in winter.
I found untold bushes of the blueberry and huckleberry, also enough
cranberries in the swamp to supply our own table and sell some. Wild
grape-vines festoon trees by the brooks.
Barberries, a dozen bushes of these which are very decorative, and
their fruit if skilfully mixed with raisins make a foreign-tasting and
delicious conserve.
We have the otter and mink, and wild ducks winter in our brooks. Large
birds like the heron and rail appear but rarely; ugly looking and
fierce.
The hateful English sparrow has been so reduced in numbers by sparrow
traps that now they keep away and the bluebirds take their own boxes
again. The place is a safe and happy haven for hosts of birds.
I have a circle of houses for the martins and swallows and wires
connecting them, where a deal of gossip goes on.
The pigeons coo-oo-o on the barn roof and are occasionally utilized in
a pie, good too!
[Illustration: GRAND ELM
(OVER TWO HUNDRED YEARS OLD)]
"I wonder how my great trees are coming on this summer.
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