Awhile ago I opened a small package and found it contained a book whose cover announced “Landaff Days.” It was written by Dr. Donald Wharton, now retired after 13 years of service as president of Plymouth State University. Don and his wife, Carol, currently live in their “expanded cabin” in Landaff.

“Landaff Days,” embraces 112 “Sketches from New Hampshire's North Country” that set forth his impressions of country living. In the introduction, Don wrote: “From my loft window I look out across our lawn and garden to a stone wall and a woodlot of pines, firs, hemlocks, poplars, maples and birches.” These subjects take on individual importance as the book is developed. He writes of his outside world, the behavior of wild things, the special effects of year-round weather, and dialogue with the folks he neighbors with.

As I continued from one “sketch” to another, I found his writing thought-provoking, direct and without unnecessary words. On occasion, after reading a “sketch” that discussed a subject familiar to me, I paused, not to argue, but in recollection. One of particular interest was the piece entitled “Good Neighbors,” within which Don wrote: “Robert Frost famously had one of his neighbors say 'good fences make good neighbors,' and then said to himself 'before I built a wall I'd ask to know what I was walling in or walling out, and to whom I was like to give offence.' Don concluded the sketch with: “So Frost was half right: 'Something there is that doesn't love a wall.' But something there is who does.”

I very much enjoyed the book. Its reading was like visiting with an old friend, sharing some experiences, while being introduced to new ones. The book is available at Gibson's Book Store in Concord, Village Book Store in Littleton, and by writing the author at Landaff Days, 257 Jim Noyes Hill Road, Landaff, 03585. List price is $17.95.

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Hummingbirds were inquired of by a Manchester reader in an Aug. 16 letter that read: “Some weeks ago I purchased two hummingbird feeders that had been highly rated online along with many, many purchaser endorsements stating essentially that it was highly effective in attracting hummingbirds. We live some distance from the center of Manchester where there are many trees and other greenery and open space fields nearby.

“I felt that it should be relatively easy to be successful in attracting them either to the front yard area, or to the back spaces near several trees, so my two visiting grandchildren and I set about preparing sugar water according to the directions and finding a secluded but obvious by air location.

“To date, however, there has not been a single sighting nor evidence of any landings other than some ants that fell into the protected moats and drowned. Could you please advise us as to what can be better done, or is it hopeless in this area?”

It may seem to be quite late in the season to attract hummingbirds, but do not despair for hummingbirds are beginning their fall migration. Those birds that have nested north of us will be passing through New Hampshire, a few of which will continue to do so into November. Many folks keep their hummingbird feeders out until quite late in fall to assist those late migrants in finding food.

To attract hummingbirds next spring, our Manchester reader should plant some of the common tubular flowering plants such as bee balm, butterfly weed, trumpet vine, honeysuckle, and touch-me-not. There is a wide variety of flowering shrubs, sages and fruit trees that offer a source of nectar from their blossoms. By careful observation, the sight of the swift, direct flight, typical of hummingbirds, will give notice it is time to put out the feeders containing fresh sugar water. Male hummers are apt to perch high on a branch or wire to spot other hummers that may invade their territory. If another male appears it will likely be driven off. When a female arrives, the now “resident” male may attempt courtship and mating.

When hummingbirds are around and one wishes to get a closer look at them, it has been suggested that wearing bright red or orange clothing will often attract them. From the hummer's point of view, such clothing will resemble colorful blossoms and will often attract an inquisitive, flying bird physically close.

Years ago, while travelling in Arizona, I stopped to visit a museum that had an enclosure designed to keep several species of hummingbirds within its confines. Another visitor, a lady who was wearing a red flower brooch on her blouse, kept brushing a curious bird away. It was persistent as it believed the brooch contained nectar.
Stacey Cole's address is 529 W. Swanzey Road, Swanzey 03446.