2 14 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



about three months the species may be divided into three groups showing their 

 order in this respect, although no group can be assigned with accuracy to any one 

 month. Their succession is approximately as follows : 



Group One — The Earliest. 



Red Maples, White Elm, Sumach, Yellow Locust, Sour Gum, Horse Chestnut, 

 White Maple, Yellow Birch, Hickories, Tulip Tree, Sassafras, Butternut, Black Wal- 

 nut, Cucumber Tree, Kentucky Coffee Tree. 



Group Two — The Intermediate. 



Hard or Sugar Maple, Sweet Gum, Chestnut, Yellow Wood, Red Oak, Pin Oak, 

 Beech, White Birch, Black Birch, Aspens, White Ash, Hop Hornbeam, Blue Beech, 

 Carolina Poplar, Basswood, Black Ash. 



Group Three — The Latest. 



Scarlet Oak, Dogwood, Honey Locust, Lombardy Poplar, White Oak, Larch, 

 Black Cherry, Sycamore, Sycamore Maple, Norway Maple, Ailanthus, Dutch Linden, 

 Ginkgo, Willows, English Elm. 



It would, undoubtedly, be interesting to state here the month and, approxi- 

 mately, the day of the month on which each species might be expected to display 

 its ripened hues. This might not be so very difficult as regards any particular 

 locality; for continued observations of individual trees show that they vary but a 

 few days each year, both in the vernal unfolding and the autumnal ripening of the 

 leaves. But, as the time of the process varies greatly with latitude and situation, 

 no one schedule of dates would fulfill the purpose; and so each student must con- 

 struct his almanac in accordance with the dates noted in his own vicinity. If a 

 person who keeps a diary faithfully will note in spring the first day on which each 

 species may be said to be in leaf, and in fall when these same trees have fairly 

 changed color, such memoranda will prove valuable for future reference. For many 

 years the writer has thus timed the late and early springs by a clock of the seasons 

 constructed from just such notes.* 



Although, as previously shown, some species may exhibit two or more colors» 

 there are certain prevailing tints which may be looked for in connection with each. 



*" The illustrious Linnaeus, in the most earnest manner, exhorted his countrymen to observe with 

 all care and diligence at what time each tree expands its buds and unfolds its leaves; imagining, and 

 not without reason, that his country would, some time or other, reap some new and perhaps unex- 

 pected benefit from observations of this kind made in different places." [Harold Barck. Foliation 

 of Trees. Amaen. .»\cad. Vol. III.] 



