WILD FLOWERS

A few weeks ago the dark mossy floor of the lower forests was gorgeous with the orchid banners of the exquisite Lady slipper (Cytherea bulbosa). For a few days they blossomed in profusion and then they were gone. Unfortunately these popular flowers - rare in most sections of the country - come too early in the spring and grow too deep in the woods to be enjoyed by any except a privileged few who knew when and where to look for them.

At present the lower roads are lined with dwarf dogwood, forest anemone, bleeding heart, squaw grass and fire weed, while the first patches of bare ground in the high valleys are beginning to be carpeted with white and yellow avalanche lilies and the tightly rolled leave of the giant helebore.

Spring is rapidly creeping up the mountainside.