the Thoreau Log.
13 September 1856. Concord, Mass.

Thoreau writes in his journal:

  At Concord.—After all I am struck by the greater luxuriance of the same species of plants here than up country though our soil is considered leaner. Also I think that no view I have had of the Connecticut Valley at Brattleboro or Walpole is equal to that of the Concord from Nawshawtuct. Here is a more interesting horizon more variety & richness. Our river is much the most fertile in every sense. Up there it is nothing but river-valley & hills. Here there is so much more that we have forgotten that we live in a valley.

  8 A.M.—Up Assabet.

  Gathered quite
a parcel of grapes, quite ripe. Difficult; to break off the large bunches without some dropping off. Yet the best are more admirable for fragrance than for flavor. Depositing them in the bows of the boat, they filled all the air with their fragrance, as we rowed along against the wind, as if we were rowing through an endless vineyard in its matuity.

The Aster Tradescanti now sugars the banks densely, since I left, a week ago. Nature improves this her last opportunity to empty her lap of flowers . . .

(Journal, 9:80-81)

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