Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-13
No Time for "Hugging Fire"

Winter is thus no time for "hugging the
fre"-in despite of any days weather.
There may be a lack of variety but there
is no overpoweriDg monotone. The season
is one of concentration, not of diffusion.
II is classic in great simplicities of con-
tour, not Gothic with intricacies of detail.
The picture of winter thus set out on
Natures own canvas is emphatcaly an
attractive one. The wayfarer as he re-
CARDS It, is invigorated physically mentally
and spiritually. The tonic, inspirational
air is stimulus to mind and eXaltation to
the understanding spirit, no less than
wholesome for the jaded senses.
Winter is the season to become better
acquainted with the birds; to pay them for
summer song by remembrance that their
natural food supply Is scant and needs re-
plenshng from the pantry and to en-
courage their presence about the house.
Recompense for the birds summer services
in orchard and garden and avenue is only
kindly thought of scattering grain and
tying bones and crusts to trees and arbors.
Establishment of friendly relations is easiest
in winter, for the rgors of weather and
frugality of diet render the birds less shy.
They are more approachable both in town
and suburbs, and what a variety there is
Even now, busy nuthatcher, circing hawks.
drumming woodpeckers, optimistic chicka-
dees, gorgeous blue jays and friendly robins
are about for the seeing.
Tall and gaunt, the trees stand forth in
the crisp, clear sunshine, so different from
the quivering, almost tropic warmth of
summers rays. The bare branches of some
carry clusters of seeds berries, which
may form the birds scant subsistence this
time of year The menu is very frugal, in
deed including only scarlet bittersweet
berries. crimson winterberries pokeberries
and the seeds of a few shrubs.
Plant life is stagnant but beneath the
dead leaves are hid the, germs of next
springs floral beauty.
Against the brown trunks OF the decid-
uous trees the frs, pines cedars and other
evergreens stand out in strong contrast,
adding a properly subdued and appropriate
tone to the color scheme of the season.
The lack of leaves affords opportunity
for close study Of their conhguration; the
angles OF their branches may be estimated
and their habit fixed in mind and the vary
ing fabrics of bark noticed. Also the SWELL
ing OF the leaf-buds which will burst into
springtide foliage, is an interesting study
in the manifold variety of nature. Some
thing of the trees character, whether ro-
bust plant, is perceptible as they stand
sentInels of the woodland, calm and i'm
passive yet instinct with life, waiting only
for the qulckening touch of spring for the
sap to flow and the glory of verdure to be
achieved. Las: years bird nests, where
they have survived the stormy weather,
may also be studied with an intimacy de-
MED in nesting time.
After the gorgeous blaze of autumn win
ter is a boon; the mild shades OF brown,
green and gray relieve the eye the quie-
tude rests the spirit and the brisk breeze and
wholesome atmosphere clear the brain. II
the charms and attractions of winter have
any weight and worth, the house will be
changed for the open, and both health and
spirits will profit by the invigorating spell
OF out-of-doors. w. r. NJ.