FASHIONABLE TREES 47 



and dressmaker and even the male trees are inter- 

 ested. Powders, frills, flowers, perfumes, rich col- 

 ours all these are utilised afresh each season. 



Many of the tree-buds which have been formed 

 the summer before have been wrapped in oilskins 

 all winter. Their sticky, varnished surfaces have 

 kept out every vestige of moisture and cold which 

 has come their way. Others have achieved their 

 purpose with beautiful fur coats of delicate look 

 and texture. Then there are those which appear 

 in the thick, hard garb of workmen. Not a few 

 wear overcoats of the close-fitting military type. 

 The buds of the forsythe, an exceptionally early 

 spring shrub, always have clothes of ample dimen- 

 sions in order to facilitate their quick enlargement 

 during the first January thaw. 



Most of the buds begin to swell in March. The 

 resulting addition to the landscape of dull crim- 

 son, purple, olive, and silver produces a beautiful 

 effect. The bursting buds of the cultivated mag- 

 nolia give the impression of blood, while the tiny 

 brown buds of the elm look like sleeping insects. 

 The tree-masses are still dark brown and grey, but 

 there are subdued shades of brighter aspect running 

 through them. 



When the trees finally decide to throw off their 

 winter clothing, they do it with an abandon and 



