86 SMOKE AND TREES. 



third way in which the trees are affected, viz., through the smoke 

 in the atmosphere. I do not know if this source of damage has 

 been much noted, but it is none the less present, although 

 possibly not noticeable at first sight, particularly with trees standing 

 singly. In woods or small thickets of trees, however, its effects 

 are at once apparent, and I believe are much more wide-spread 

 than either of the previous evils. It neither affects the health of 

 trees standing singly, nor those in open woods, so much as it does 

 those in close woods. The treatment of woods within a radius of 

 six or seven miles of the centre of the city, or in any locality where 

 there is much smoke, is entirely different from the ordinary 

 routine. Woods, notably pine woods, must be kept much opener, 

 to admit of the plants getting sufficient light to keep them in 

 anything approaching a healthy condition, and I am of opinion 

 that the continuous darkening of the atmosphere by smoke must 

 take a great share of the blame for this. However, as previously 

 stated, it is quite impossible to draw lines of distinction between 

 the amount of injury done by each of the various causes, and 

 having now considered how the trees are affected by them separ- 

 ately, a brief consideration of the total injury done in regard to 

 appearance, health and growth, must suffice. 



Summary. — In appearance the natural beauty of the trees is 

 marred. The freshness of Spring disappears sooner, through the 

 blackening effect of the smoke, which is a great loss and disadvan- 

 tage to many who are prevented from seeing nature unless in the 

 public parks and woods in the immediate neighbourhood of the city, 

 and throughout the whole year there is a lack of brightness, but of 

 all the seasons, it is in Autumn that the greatest contrast is seen. 

 Where are all the varying tints and shades of colour of the fading 

 leaves of the woodlands in our glens and vales away out in the 

 country? There is no comparison between trees in such places and 

 those in the parks and suburbs of our city. No doubt there is a 

 certain degree of this natural beauty left, but it is like a dim and 

 imperfect copy of some fine picture. And what about the evergreen 

 shrubs ? At this season of the year, instead of being objects of 

 beauty, they are frequently very depressing to the eye, being black, 

 and in many cases tufted and open, rather than a dense mass of 

 foliage, owing to the leaves falling off months or sometimes a year or 

 more too early. Common Hollies are possibly the worst victims in 



