MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 411 



strongest in the hill, and two years after planting raise a mound around 

 each tree. If some manure or trash is placed upon the mound, all the 

 better. Seedling nut trees often freeze out because of lack of this 

 care. The chestnut can be grown over a very large scope of territory. 

 The reason for their failure generally is that too large trees are planted^ 

 and as a result they die. Almost any nut tree transplants easily if 

 under two feet high, but they are harder to transplant when they are 

 larger. Quite a number of chestnut groves can now be found through- 

 out the central western states and we think the chestnut should be 

 more widely planted. Careful cultivation for several years until the 

 trees are established is necessary. Little pruning should be done. We 

 like the idea of setting such trees in a series of belts over a field that 

 is intended for use as pasture. This gives room for development and 

 grass, as the trees increase in size, will take the ground, and the trees 

 can both be used as stock shade and for their nut product. 



'*Browii October.". 



I wrote some sad verses about "Brown October," 



When Into my room she wlsked— mad as could be; 

 Her cheeks red and wrathful— her bright lips demanding, 



"Now, pray, is there anything 'brown' about me?" 



I sat there aghast, while she fixed her eyes on me— 



Her blue, brilliant eyes, from soft mists coldly free. 

 She shook her long locks (they were yellow as sunshine) 



with, "Pray, Is there anything 'brown' about me?" 



"It might do for March, or for poor washed out April, 



And August, I'm sure, is as tanned as can be; 

 November deserves it- with all his bare branches; 



But why should you choose 'Brown October' for me?' ' 



"Just look at m/ skies; were there ever such blue ones? 

 See the far-flying gold of that great maple tree! 



I've set the w-hole roadside ablaze with my sumachs- 

 Pray, where is the 'brownness' you speak of in me?" 



"Perhaps," she continued, in accents quite cutting, 



"Perhaps 'lis the tender young grass that you see. 

 Or the fringed purple asters, or rosy-streaked apples 



Have fitted the name 'Brown October' to me " 



"But there! I've no time to stand wrangling with scribblers; 



I've w^oodblne to tint and the milkweed to free; 

 But this I will say— if you must scrawl poor verses. 



Don't write any more 'Brown October' to me." 



She swept from the room, and I followed her, meekly; 



The gold leaves were flying as fast as could be; 

 The rich sumach blushed— and the wind echoed softly, 



"Now, pray, is there anything 'brown' al^out me?" 



I cried, "Dear October, forgive my dull Ijlunder; 



I'll dip a gold pen In a ralnbow-hued sea 

 To Wright your bright name— and if that doesn't sootiie you— 



Just think how uncommonly brown you've done me! 



Margaret Gilman Geoege. 



