CHAPTER IV 

 THEIR AUTUMN GLORY 



IN SEPTEMBER, when the beauty of the Aster 

 displaces that of the Goldenrod, when blue and 

 purple transcend the yellow in field and border, 

 the deep green mantle of foliage draping hill and dale, 

 mountain and ravine, streamside and roadside com- 

 mences to show portentous signs of change. The 

 Pines, Hemlocks, and their kin look even darker as 

 the contrast with their deciduous-leaved neigh- 

 bours becomes stronger. In the swamps, about the 

 last week of August and at the first whiff of autumn 

 in the air, the Red Maple begins to assume a purplish 

 tint and its example is soon followed by other kinds of 

 trees. To all of us the season of the year becomes 

 apparent, warning signs of stern winter's approach 

 increase rapidly, and soon the whole country puts on 

 its gayest mantle of colour. The peoples of the 

 tropics, where monsoon rains are followed by burning 

 heat and where the young unfolding leaves of many 

 forest trees are brightly coloured, never enjoy the 

 wonderful feast of colour displayed in the forests 

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