The sun., 1919-04-03
JOHN BURROUGHS AT
50 is STILL WRITING
Famous Naturalist Will Have
Quiet Birthday Cele-
bratiOn To-day.
RECEIVES MANY LETTERS
Philosopher Of West Park Is
Strong for a League
of Nations.

John Burroughs tapped about a dozen
naples this year and got good run Of
sap. despite the queer weather. In a
kettle on n stone arch out back of the
house he made syrup and sugar Of ex-
cellent quality-enough for his own use
until spring comes again. and some to
spare for his friends. Every afternoon
he gets out and splits wood until he
feels like quitting, depending on how
sharp the axe Is and the appetite of his
fireplaces
He Is also supervising the remodelling
Of the stone house he built with his own
hands several years ago. For variety he
gets into his automobile and drives along
the Hudson or back into Ulster county
not very fast, for he has learned that
there Is a way of running a car and
at the same time keeping an eye on
what's going on by the wayside, unless
he has to turn out for another car or a
team. Or. like as not, when he leaves
the house he walks right past his car.
and keeps on walking until It Is time to
turn around and hurry home for supper.
Birds Report to Him on Time.
He finds that the robin, bluebird, song
sparrow. purple finch and other birds
which invariably report to him the mo-
ment they reach the latitude of West
Park from the winter habitations in the
South arrived at the usua! time this
season and not earlier. as the laity
count of the moderate winter. Although
the Southern winter has been cold and
wet the birds were not to be fooled into
dying from the frying pan into the fire.
or more accurately speaking. from the
isotherm into the icebox.
As everybody knows, to-day is Mr.
Burroughss eighty-second birthday
When THE SUN telephoned to him yes
terday the wires were SO scratchy that
he decided to stay in his arm chair and
let DR.. Clara Barrus. author Of "Our
Friend John Burroughs" who was at his
elbow, repeat his words into the trans
mitter. He said he was in good health
but had not come to the city much this
and no had always kept out of cities as
much as he could.
Working on Two More Books.
He said he had Just published a new
book. Field and Study" and was work.
Ing on two more, the nature of which
he would reveal In good time. Every
day except Sunday he starts writing af-
ter breakfast and keeps II up until
luncheon time unless callers dropped in
In the afternoon this happy man does as
he pleases.
Il walk or drive my car or read news
papers or split wood or do whatever
chores there are around q home In the
country" he said. mot many visitors
come here In the winter for West Park
is rather out Of the way for winter
travel"
A friend OF the naturalist, Frank
Seaman. who keeps the Yama Farms
Inn at Matanoch in Sullivan county,
wanted TO arrange birthday party for
Mr.. Burroughs and invite all the latter's
cronies. but the invitation was declined,
for there never have been any big
doings on Burroughs anniversary and
there never will be IL Mr.. Burroughs
can stop It. which may DE he can.
This afternoon he will Join his son
Julian and his three. grandchildren In
a family celebration. That was easily
arranged, for Julian Burroughs lived in
the stone house his father built at
R!verby. while the father was domiciled
in his study" Just below the house,
among the pines Now the Julian Bur-
roughses are living in Kingston while
the philosopher and handy man of Slab
sides Is bossing the reconstruction of the
stone residence.
No end of birthday letters were being
delivered yesterday. A great many of
them Mr. Burroughs rejoiced to say
were from children; whether he likes
birds or children better Is possibly an
open question. 1t is no secret that
friends who try to get him to make
public addresses have the best chance
OF success II he knows the average age
OF the audience Is 10 be. say. years.
Thomas A. Edison undoubtedly will
be heard from to-day. also Mr.. Bur-
roughs close friend and camping COM
panion OF late years. Henry. Ford, who
visited him in January.
THE SUN gave Mr.. Burroughs its
best regards and asked him II he cared
to say anything to Its readers
YES" he said, II am very much inter-
ested in the League of Nations and am
willing to trust things to President WI
son. ! hope all the readers OF THE
Sun are In favor OF n League OF Nations
strong enough to handcuff and ham
string Germany so that she never can
leap upon France again"