The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

M PAGE 15 - PLAINDEALER-FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1974 ' * *1 •'* ffrl*i W n"n "ninJlninJlfu Around The Garden rrgg By Matthew S. Rosen Instructor - Ornamental Horticulture McHenry County College Did you see them? Did you see them? See what, you say? Why, the many spring flowering bulbs that have already scoffed at the cold nights and freezing winds by bravely opening up their dainty blooms. Ah, what a sight! I was walking briskly along about ten days ago, when my eye spied a patch of yellow beneath a tree. Zap! I became frozen in my tracks, mesmerized by the golden hue. After all, it had been some three-and-one-half months since I had seen so much color im the landscape. After staring for a minute or two, I rushed over to take a closer look. There by my feet were at least twenty winter aconite. I knelt down for an even closer examination. No more than six inches high, each plant consisted of one yellow flower. Although the hot summer days were yet many weeks away, in an apparently soft­ hearted moment, Mother Nature had chosen this little giant to herald the coming festival of spring. All my cares drifted away. Soon the entire landscape would burst forth with flowers and foliage of every shape, size, and color imaginable. These tiny winter aconites deftly demonstrated the full meaning of the phrase "Flower Power." My mind now intoxicated, I continued my walk in an euphoric state. Floating slowly along, I kept my eyes peeled for / other signs of spring. Sure enough, not more than 50 yards down the road, I came across a clump of snowdrops. Pure white, except for a few green markings, this diminutive species, too, trumpeted Mather Nature's message to all who were willing to listen. From the conditions of some of the blooms, these snowdrops had apparently been flowering for at least ten days. I became annoyed with myself. Why, in all my rushing about, I had undoubtedly overlooked the earliest heralds of spring. After chastising myself thoroughly, I firmly resolved to scrutinize every inch of ground so as not to miss so much as a green shoot. No more brisk walks for me. From now on, I would make the time for leisurely strolls. *Not 20 feet from the snowdrops, a group of common crocus pointed their gaily colored white and purple blossoms skyward. Framed, or maybe protected is a better word, by their rich green, ' grass-like foliage, these petite flowers seemed impervious to the sudden gusts of icy wind that were constantly blowing across my face. Come what may, they were going to survive. In the natural order, this was their time, and no climatic force short of a disaster was going to steal their days of glory. I must have walked for five miles that J&f? Although no more flowers came into sight, the green foliage and buds of many of the spring flowering bulbs were visible. The yet unexpanded crowns of tulip leaves, and the slender, strap­ like foliage of the daffodil were in evidence everywhere if one would just take the time to look. Siberian squills, grape hyacinth, and glory of the snow were all in bud. One week more, and they, too, would add their colorful blooms to the rapidly rising symphony of spring. All one had to do was pause just for a moment to see that all around them life was returning to the barren winter landscape. A wood lot came into view. Immediately, I decided to explore it and see which of Mother Nature's wild flowers had already peeked out above the litter. Dead branches crunched under my feet. A thin layer of snow was yet present in the shadier, sites. I knelt down, and gently „ re­ moved some fallen, al­ ready partially decay­ ed leaves. Sure enough, under this warm blan­ ket of foliage the green sprouts of several early spring bloomers were to be found. The purple decked leaves of the dog-toothed violet as well as the deeply lobed foliage of the Wood root had already begun to emerge. Carefully I replaced the duff, tucking each individual leaf in snuggly. In three more weeks, the woods would be ablaze with color. I would come back then. As I neared the edge of this tiny forest, a faint patch of green caught my attention. There, before me, a clump of Dutchman's breeches had already reached 6 inches in height. f**!arvelled at the ability of these finely sculptured leaves to withstand the yet hostile elements. How strange, I mused, is the natural order? Most of the woodlands are still locked in the vice-like grip of winter, and here I find a fragile species ready to burst forth into bloom. A strong urge to mound a thick layer of fallen leaves over these dainty plants came over me. I resisted. If Mother Nature had not blessed the Dutchman's breeches with the unique power to withstand such vigorous climatic conditions, then the species would not have emerged from its winter hibernation. The woodlot ended. I had taken no more than ten steps along the side of the road when my serenity was shattered by a group of five or six automobiles that went whizzing by me honking their horns. Anger, then pity filled me. "What is your hurry? To where are you all rushing? Do not you all know what wonders you are missing in your haste to get from here to there? Of course you don't! For if you did, you would pause, at least for a moment, and feast your eyes on the heralds of spring, becoming intoxicated by their enchanting song. Alas, for you, Nature's beauty has no meaning, no value." © Newspapers; Magazines 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Bottles, Cans 9 A.M. - Noon Third Saturday every month Market Place T V COMMENTARY By John Smiley THE LAST original epi­ sode of "Here's Lucy" will be aired on March 21. The effervescent redhead has sol­ emnly announced that this is surely her last season on TV, except for a special now and again. For those who cannot bear the thought of a Lucy- less TV, the knowledge of the inevitability of re-runs should offer some content­ ment. CHARLIE BROWN, who represents all of us in one way or another, will be on the tube again April 9. "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!" is the title of the CBS special. Peanuts has been doing animated specials on TV for nine years. THE AMERICAN SPORTS­ MAN is now in its tenth sea­ son. "Marcus Welby, M.D." has been on five. It has just been learned that the good d o c t o r w i l l b e p r a c t i c i n g medicine on TV again next season. HOWARD COSELL is soon to put on another TV hat. He'll appear on ABC in prime time on March 31 as emcee of a song, dance and skits hour. If all goes well, the show might make ABC's weekly line-up next fall. A RECENT VOTE by the FCC will give networks an early-evening half hour of programming one day a week, as long as it is .used for children's or public affairs programming of some kind. ON MARCH 30th CBS will present a special "Grammy Salutes Oscar," with Gene Kelly as host. The show will feature music from Oscar- nominated scores. Responsibility « "Who's the responsible man here9" asked the call­ er. < "If you mean the fellow ThelS Era to 2,000 A.D. (NEWS or KARTH, ENVIRONMENT, ENBIIO Tourism And Energy Over 300 delegates representing the travel industry met in Jackson. Mississippi, for the first National Conference on Tourism and the Energy Crisis recently. Representatives from across the U.S. and several foreign countries, resolved "that responsible positivf steps be taken to preserve the trav­ el industry as a continued viable force in the nation's economv." that always gets the blame," answered the office boy, "you are speaking to him now." J ENKWOV) The Conference was co-sponsor- ed by the Mississippi A & I Board and the Southern Travel Directors Council in cooperation with the Discover America Travel Organi­ zations. Senators Lloyd Bentsen of Texas and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii high­ lighted the two-day Conference. Both senators, stated that tour­ ism, which annually contributes $61 billion to the U.S. economy, is important to the nation and pledg­ ed to work toward awareness of its importance by Congress and the Administration. Senator Bentsen said he believes it essential for government to act to protect jobs and industries that are jeopardized by fuel shortages. Senator Inouye said the federal government did not consider rec­ reation and travel high on their list of priorities. He reported some 5 million Americans were employ­ ed by the tourist industry and that the federal government must give the tourist industry the highest priority in any fuel allocation program. Stephen Wakefield, assistant ad­ ministrator for the Federal Energy Office, spoke at the closing ses­ sion of the Conference. He stated that although the outlook for gas­ oline is unpromising, fuel restric­ tions affecting the private auto­ mobile, on which the travel indus­ try depends heavily, will not affect mass transportation a great deal. Mr. Wakefield further stated that the real solution to the en­ ergy crisis is to develop the energy resources which nature has given the United States. Helpful Hint Telephone dperator to^ new g i r l s h e i s b r e a k i n g i n * -"No, honey, you say,'Just 1 a minute please,' not, 'Hang J onto your pants, Mister."' J DISCUSS CITY PROBLEMS - When Rep. R. Bruce Waddell visited McHenry Tuesday of this week, his first stop included a chat with Mayor Joseph Stanek. Rep. Waddell said it was his practice to discuss with city leaders the most important problems of each municipality. He then takes his van to shopping areas to meet people and talk over their individual problems. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD WANT Order Your Classified Advertisement For 3 Consecutive Issues. If You Don't Get The Results You Expected. . . .And YOU ALONE Are The Judge Notify Us And We Will Continue Your Ad FREE Of Charge For An Equal Number « 1 4 r Of Days Conditions: • FREE Advertisement must be requested prior to deadline of Fourth insertion. • FREE Advertisement must run unchanged. • Advertisement must have run for a minium of 3 days. • Tell the advertisement taker "this is a guaranteed ad" • If you should sell your item after the first insertion, just call, cancel, and you will be billed only for the number of times it has run. • Offer is NOT open to Industrial, Commercial or Retail Advertisers TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL For Only $500 Minimum 3 Insertions - 15 words or less 10c per additional word, per insertion THE -- McHENRY PLAINDEALER 385-0170 : - \ V