CHAPTER XXXVI 

 FOURTH WEEK IN SEPTEMBER 



THE garden now glows with many autumnal tints, the 

 M^ cactus dahlias (both double and single varieties) being 

 specially beautiful when grouped with masses of asters 

 (Michaelmas daisies) in white and cool mauve, which set off 

 the ruby petals of the dahlias to perfection. Another hand- 

 some plant is the low shrub Bupleurum fruticosum, now 

 covered with its terminal umbels of tiny blossoms in a 

 singular " old-gold " shade of yellow. These sprays, borne 

 on long stalks, are wonderfully effective when grouped in a 

 vase with the rich colours of such dahlias as Matchless 

 (maroon), Mrs. Holford a most desirable little double 

 cactus dahlia with brilliant carmine-scarlet flowers held well 

 above the foliage on long stalks and various starry blossoms 

 of single dahlias in rich salmon-red. These glowing tints, 

 with a few stalks of bupleurum, have almost the effect of 

 jewels in an old-gold setting, especially under artificial light. 

 Sprays from the abundant growth of such roses as Reve d'Or 

 or Madame Falcot, which are now produced in deep crimson- 

 brown, may be added, but no decided green shades of foliage 

 should be used. 



The effect of colours on the nerves, the brain, and 

 consequently on the health, is an interesting subject, which 

 has only lately received the attention of the scientists. 

 Red tints are said to be good for melancholia, and mauve 

 for nervous patients, so that perhaps the glowing tints of 

 autumn (with its wealth of red flowers and carmine foliage) 

 are intended to cheer us as we see the summer wane, 

 and we shall do well to make the most of them. In spring 



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