76 TREES IN WINTER. 



say, that in our climate, probably those plants 

 have survived and increased which were so con- 

 stituted that a long period of rest succeeded a 

 season of active work. 1 



In countries where a wet season is followed by 

 a hot, dry season, the plants lose their leaves when 

 the heat begins. Thus excessive cold and exces- 

 sive heat produce the same effect. 



Another advantage to the plants in losing their 

 leaves is the lessened resistance which the tree 

 presents to storms, and especially to snow. The 

 weight of the winter snows would break the trees 

 if the leaves were obliged to carry such a load. 

 We sometimes see trees badly injured in this way 

 by a premature snowstorm. 



Now that the trees are divested of their sum- 

 mer dress, we see that the provision for the next 

 season's garment has been already made. There 

 are the buds thickly studding the branches. Look 

 at the strong Horsechestnut buds, with their resin- 

 ous, waterproof covering, and think of the won- 

 derful sleep of the leaves within, wrapped in their 

 woollen blankets, and awaiting only the warmth 

 and moisture of spring to burst into renewed vigor 

 (Fig. 13). After one has studied naked branches, 



1 "Pflanzenleben/'I.p. 329. 



