The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-07

In the Easter tide, when the thoughts
of the Christian world are turned to all
that is beautiful and lovely. flowers have
first place in the churches and the homes.
late issue of the Pinehurst Outlook,
published at the winter resort of that
name in Moore county, contains a singu-
larry interesting article upon the flowers
that abound in that region BY courtesy
we publish 1t below in this Easter edition:
The name, pine Barrens," which is
applied to that part of the Southern
States covered with the long-leaf pine, is
not suggestive Of flowers or aught else Of
beauty. Nothing but pines, scrub oaks,
and sand!" is the petulant verdict OF the
casual traveller, as he journeys through
this region.
Pines, indeed. there are! towering and
massive, with foliage so dark as to make
them gloomy, until one learns to know
and love them. To those who come from
the more ungenial North, in search OF
health and strength, these sturdy trees,
breathing forth their fragrant, life-giy-
ing aroma, have proved truly that their
leaves are for the healing of the ma
TONS"
Wherever the pines are cut out the
despoiled earth is covered by the scrub or
laJack" oak, which though never attain
ing any great size, and of little value
for commercial purposes, is by no means
useless. Practically it affords excellent
fuel, and, Notwithstanding its ugliness
when deprived of its leaves, during the
season of foliage it gratifies the aesthetic
side Of our natures, When, in the spring.
Itthe trees are covered with their yellow,
Itassel-like blossoms. they form brilliant
masses of color against the sombre back
isground of pines. The leaves which fol-
How are at first the same shade as the
flowers, gradually changing to dark
green and when full-grown becoming SO
glossy and thick that they fairly tinkle
|! in the light breeze, as did the golden
bough sought by Aeneas Moreover, as
a sudden gust sets them to quivering,
they simulate human voices, and ire
I.ouently when listening to the deep,
musical song of the pines, is the
ldreamer aroused. thinking that guests
are approaching. In the fall they turn to
rich red, rivaling the autumn foliage OF
Ethe naples, but finally succumbing to the
killing frosts, they turn to russell brown,
and thus hang and shiver on the trees
throughout the short winter until sent
hurrying and scurrying by the mischiey-
Gus breath Of the March wind.
The particular locality under consider
alton is in the south central part OF
North Carolina, situated on high ridge
where the soil, composed mainly OF sand
so white as to resemble snow. is said
4 by the natives to be mighty poor.
why" said one of our Southern breth-
ren, there won't anything grow there
except cow-peas; and they groan when
they sprout
Yet, in spite of such compromising con-
ditions, the flora is both varied and faci-
! mating. The flower season opens early,
| or at least SO it seems to a New Eng
! lander, and trailing arbutus-May flow
ers no longer-are often in bloom on st.
Valentines Day; and for six weeks these
lovely flowers, SO fraught with childhood
memories and recollections of home,
gladden. our hearts. Encouraged by the
; balmy weather they sometimes produce