VARIETY. 61 



the admiration of the tree lover. The form of a tree is 

 its first and most evident characteristic. Its outline is 

 always beautiful, either in its symmetry or its irregu- 

 larity, as the case may be ; and the man wlio does not 

 notice the difference between the form of a Sugar maple 

 and a Mossy Cup oak is one to whom TAngelus might 

 as well have been a chromo. 



There are considerable contrasts of color among 

 trees. One may cite as examples the Red oak, the Sil- 

 ver poplar and the Golden willow. Bub the most pleas- 

 ing and numerous varieties of color in trees and shrubs 

 are separated from each other as barely distinguishable 

 tints. The proper combination of these tints is delicate 

 work for a sympathetic and artistic mind ; but there is, 

 nevertheless, a wide difference between good combina- 

 tions and bad ones. 



The difference between a strip of mosquito netting 

 and a piece of sail cloth is chiefly one of texture. We 

 speak of texture oftenest in connection with woven 

 fabrics, and in that connection we best understand what 

 it means. But it is not a difficult matter to transfer 

 this notion of texture to the api^rent solidity, or lack 

 of solidity, in the mass of green which the foliage of 

 any tree may present. A i:)lane tree is not greatly dif- 

 ferent in form from a Kentucky coffee tree, and yet 

 what a difference in the effect they have on the observer ! 

 Compare a catalpa with a honey locust; a tulip tree 

 with a Avillow. What a difference in the whole aspect 

 of the trees contrasted ! These examples may, perhaps, 

 suggest tlie meaning of Mrs. Van Eensselacr's definition : 

 ** By texture of a tree I mean the character of its masses 

 of foliage as determined by the manner of growth of the 

 lighter spray, and the number, shape, disposition and 

 tissne of its leaves." In no other quality of a tree is 

 variety more effective than in the texture. Some strik- 

 ing differences of texture in foliage are shown in Fig. 16. 



