LATER YEARS OF A PLANT. 207 



and shines, already here on earth, in all the radiancy of 

 truth, hope, and peace." 



Varied, therefore, as the appointed time of plants is, 

 it has its fixed, irrevocable term. Not all leaves fall at 

 the same time. The pine-tree keeps its leaves two or 

 four years; the fir and spruce change only every ten 

 years ; some trees drop annually certain branches. The 

 dead foliage of some oaks clings to them, long after all 

 others have been swept away, and the young elm waits 

 all winter, and drops not a leaf until its successor pushes 

 it out of its resting-place. Some fall to form a soft litter 

 beneath ; others remain to afford shelter in bleak winter. 

 But no art of man can arrest the falling leaf when its 

 day has come. Artificial heat, removal to a warmer 

 climate, and great care, may succeed in bringing out new 

 crops almost without pause but the process exhausts the 

 ill-used plant, and it dies a premature death. Still even 

 the decayed leaf is not lost. It enriches the soil, and 

 fall produces spring, the dying leaves helping to bring 

 forth the bright verdure of the coming year. Thus the 

 great circle of life goes on without interruption. The 

 general signal for the shedding of leaves is the maturity 

 of the seed ; that greatest purpose of the life of plants 

 once accomplished, they die, or at least, rest for a season. 

 Thus death comes to some after a few days ; bushes and 

 low trees keep their seeds during the winter, welcome 

 food for starving birds; and the humble chickweed brings 

 forth seed seven or eight times a year, not resting even 

 during winter, and keeps open table for many a tiny wren 



