128 AUTUMNAL COLOR ON THE LAWN, 



late. Even the weeping willow does this. But the rose- 

 mary willow, with narrow, waving leaves, is better suited for 

 the purpose. Its blue green produces in fall that charmingly 

 cool tone so pleasing along the edge of a mass of trees, 

 especially when the entire scene lies on the banks of a 

 pool or stream of water. The effect is repeated on the 

 water in still more delicate combinations, and affects one 

 like a subdued distant musical note reverberated or echoed 

 on waves of air. Most lawns can have a pool of water. It is 

 certainly desirable as a means of displaying autumn colors 

 with peculiar and striking effect on its mirror-like surface. 



But do not forget the willows of many species. They 

 form a notable instance of what may be accomplished by the 

 grays and greens of fall. The shimmering atmosphere of 

 Indian summer suits wonderfully the glowing crimson and 

 sparkling green foliage of that season. Yet even during 

 that season there are different days which are to me more 

 lovely still, being almost solemn with their pure air, clear 

 and buoyant and yet devoid of brightness like the interior 

 of some great cathedral. It is for these autumnal effects 

 that I wish to secure proper employment for alders, 

 birches, oleasters, and willows. 



Do you know the oleaster or Elceagnus, especially 

 Elceagrws liortcnsis ? It is a vigorous, easily grown plant, 

 and has that whitish or grayish-green so attractive in many 

 combinations of foliage. All the oleasters, in fact, have 

 more or less of these whitish tints, but Elaeagnus hortensis 

 is one of the best. 



For delicate, lovely variegations at all seasons of the 

 year except winter, I know of nothing finer in its way than 



