AUTUMNAL COLOR ON THE LAWN. 119 



peridges, for instance, are practically ruled out from lawn 

 planting of any kind because they are so difficult to trans- 

 plant and grow. On the other hand, the lawn may employ 

 many foreign varieties of trees which will go far to make 

 up for any lack of the wild beauty of native trees unsuited 

 for the purpose. Such an arrangement of trees will be 

 characterized by dignity and a choice and elegant charm, 

 suggesting even in solitude the fitness of the place for 

 human occupation. It is therefore no mere imitation of 

 nature we should attempt on our lawns. 



The very first and best tree, for instance, to use in the 

 massed and green part of our autumnal lawn effect is the 

 Norway maple. This may seem a little strange to those 

 not familiar with trees, for maples are generally looked 

 upon as capable of distinguishing themselves in fall chiefly 

 by means of color. But the Norway maple holds a dark- 

 green color late, and finally its leaves wither and drop with- 

 out making any special exhibition of red of any shade. 

 Otherwise, the Norway maple is considered the most 

 generally valuable of lawn trees, alike for fine rounded 

 contours, rich coloring, and healthy long-lived vigor. It 

 occupies therefore a fitting position in forming the mass of 

 the background of a plantation made for autumnal effect. 

 If some pool or stream happens to be near this grouping 

 the effect will be greatly enhanced by appearing the second 

 time in the watery mirror of its surface. 



Having secured the background of dark green, in front 

 of which to build up other elements of the picture, we 

 must be careful not to destroy its broad loveliness by con- 

 structing small mixed-color effects after the Persian-rug 



