The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1877-03-14
MISCELLANY.
For THE RECORD.
TRATEINa ARBUTUs.

TRAIEING 4RBUTUS
Before me lies spray of trailing arbutus,
gathered from a sheltered rock, on the hill
side, near the banks of tho Susquehanna, in
the month Of May, 1867. Owing to the hardy
nature of the plant, and care in pressing, the
specimcnis well preserved. Here are three
full-blown flowers, and about as many buds in
different stages of advancement, beginning to
flower at the circumference, and unfolding
lastly at the heart of the cluster. OF all the
extensive order ericaceae, none of her flowers
are so deliciously fragrant MS this little cpl
gaea repens-a name suggestive of its meth
cd of growth, but not so brief as its common
name, May flower, nor so enphonious as its
poetic name, trailing arbutus.
Four entire, ovate, evergreen leaves adorn
our specimen, yet they can hardly be said to
be entire, in this case, as the mandibles of
some insects have made free with tho paren-
chyma of the two finest leaves. There must
be something nutritious in the foliage of this
plant, for in searching for specimens / have
invariably found the leaves in whose axis
were the most beautiful clusters of flowers,
nibbled and notched, yet upon examination,
not parasite was to be found, hence the
marauders must have come from abroad
Perhaps it possesses medicinal properties, fur
nishing sedative to the belligerent beetle,
or tonic to the exhausted emmett. The FIVE
parted calyx with its three bracts, are all hero
the lobes Of the corolla symmetrical in num-
Der. Upon picking one of the flowers to piec-
es, the ten stamens are found well-developed.
Yes, the form of our trailing arbutus is as per-
feet as whenit nestled ten years ago on that
slopng hillside. But what has become of the
rich rare odor and the delicate rose tint of
the petals All little flower that which
made you so lovely is evanescent So with
the choicest things of life, strive we ever so
eagerly to retain them-they slip away from
US. The trailing arbutus is essentially wild
flower. I have made several attempts to do
mesticatc it, but with unsatisfactory results.
The leaves became rusty, the flower opened
pale pink eyes, and the stems forgot to trail
1t likes best warm sheltered spot, in some
open woodland, not a deep forest but where
the March sunshine can warm its swelling
buds. Near the headwaters of the Delaware
is a tract of unproductive land, bearing few
trees, and covered with a shrubby under
growth. Here aud there tho rude cottages of
tho hardy German, surrounded by a bit of
clearing, told Of an attempt to make home
and a glance into the browsed face of the set
tier as he grubbed away at the network of
fbrous roots, showed persistent determine
ton to reclaim the vagrant soil. Here, ma
ture had made no provision for waving grain
fields and fruitful orchards. Here the sturdy
Teuton found all the thrift and horticultural
skill acquired in his Fatherland needed in or
der to extort from the barren soileven a scan
ty growth Of his favorite brassca capitata
(cabbage) to supply him with his national
sauerkraut without which he could scarce re-
tain his identity. Yet, here, nature poured
the ercaceae. Side by side grew the brilliant
kalmia, with its thick glossy leaves, and the
plain gaylussacia, with its luscious dark blue
berries. Here fiourished the stately azalea,
with its fragrant snowy flowers, and at its
feet trailed our friend the arbuttis. All this
uSduey3 "h thio ~ idiiSCs SOih w uh-
seen, and waste it's sweetness ON the desert
air." Not so AS it is a principle in physics
that no force can be destroyed, so in aesthet-
les. Beauty in whatever manner it may ap-
pear, can never be wasted. And now little
flower we win return you to your resting
place, you have called to mind other scenes
and other days. Days when the book of ma
ture was examined more for the marvellous
beauty Of her pictures than the lessons she
taught With no shadow of regret turn we
from the tender "reminiscences of the past to
the duties of the present. Believing that the
same Power that made provision for this low
ly plant to derive from the sun, air. and soil
the exquisite silvery lining of her carolla tube
will provide for the darkest hour hidden by
the veil of the future. X. B. LARSON.
Seminary at Ringoes, Feb. 81, 1877.