SPRING SONG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21580, 26 August 1933, Page 4 (Supplement)

SPRING SONG

By LUCY FYERS. M.8.G., Racffiriri (Age 4 18 years.) Original.

In our garden deep mauve stocks are blooming beautifully. They were not ' meant to bloom at this time of year, they were meant to bloom last summer. But what we wanted them to do and what they did were two very different things. Now, however, they have been forgiven, for they have made, what would have been a dull garden bright. They have been nobly assisted by marigolds and snapdragons and the scrambling Hiawatha rose. How we have adored them through the dismal months! ' r

Now our winter garden is changing to its spring dress. I have seen jonquils and daffodils and a few sweet snowflakes. Around, the thick border of violets a stray bloom scents the wintry air. From a clump of clustered primroses a shy bud is peeping forth, wondering if the spring has realty com p. The anemones have buds high above their lace-like leaves, and the Iceland poppies, which have had a few blooms ever since the cold began and now have dozens of tall, drooping buds. The wallflowers have big fat buds on every side; what a sight they will be! In a thick greeil border freesias are waiting for longer days and warmer weather to put forth their heavily-per-fumed flowers. I see grape hyacinths with long trailing leaves, and I wonder when the blue flowers will appear. From the kowhai yonder I hear a blackbird singing a real spring song. With all these signs of the coming spring I try to forget the frost-bitten fuchsias, the begonias, the jacaranda and • the late dahlias and chrysanthemums, which stand as blackened monuments. I turn my eyes to the swelling buds on the lilac and listen to the birds.