Supplement to Bulletins Nos. 2 and 3. 441 



is not very difficult, therefore, to understand why this picture of " The 

 Beeches " was made. 



The elements that go to make up a work of art may be many or 

 few, but all should contribute to the expression of one idea. All details 

 should be subordinated to the principal subject. There should be one 

 picture and one thought. Of this principle of unity or " oneness," " The 

 Beeches " is a good illustration. There is but one centre of interest. 



This centering of the interest is accomplished by various means. 

 There are other objects in the picture, but it will be observed that the 

 focus is sharpest on the trunks; there the details are most definite. The 

 eye travels about in the scene from the grass to the scrub willows, to 

 the leafy canopy overhead, but always, on account of the lack of defini- 

 tion in these, is forced back to where it can see most clearly. The eye is 

 not only thus forced to the center of interest but is also led to that point 

 by the main lines of the composition, — the converging limbs and line 

 of the hillside. And finally as the attention is caught and held at the 

 point of greatest contrast we have here still another means of gaining 

 the attention. The fact that there are two trees instead of one migm 

 be noted. Imagine the farther trunk eliminated and there would be an 

 appreciable loss. It is more or less of an echo of the principal subject 

 and so adds emphasis and also serves as a foil for the shadow side of the 

 latter. 



And now that the attention has been centered on the subject of the 

 picture, in what does its interest consist? Why do these trees make such 

 a good subject for pictorial representation? It is because they are so 

 fuU of character that they show so much individuality; they have a 

 story to tell. How different from the trees in forest communities where, 

 like men in the crowded city, all come to look quite alike ! For most of 

 their lives these have grown in the open, on this hillside, and plamly 

 show the struggle with the elements thus far survived. Not the least 

 interest in a subject of this kind is that of association, of reminiscences 

 awakened — memories of the Golden Age when the call of the woods was 

 easily answered, when spring hepatica were loveliest, summer beech leaf 

 silkiest, autumn beech-nuts sweetest, and life's enjoyment fullest. 



THE FLOWER-GARDEN— REMINDER OF BULLETIN NO. 5. 



In the Farmers' Wives' Reading-Course of the present year there 

 have been pictures presented with suggestions for study during the 

 winter months. Springtime is almost here and we naturally turn our 

 attention to pictures out-of-doors. The awaking of spring causes us to 

 ask, " Shall we have a flower-garden? " With the rush of spring work, 

 we long for time to stir the soil and to plant the seed. The making of; 



