THEIR AUTUMN GLORY 



beneficent agency, some lover of mankind must 

 have prepared the scene as the final tableau of the 

 seasons! Of a truth the talent of the Master Artist 

 is unveiled, and the picture surpasses the dreams of 

 those who live in less-favoured areas of the world. 



Those skilled in the mysteries of organic chemistry 

 and plant physiology tell us that autumn tints are 

 due to chemical changes associated with the storing 

 away of food material and the discharge of certain 

 waste products. This explanation, though matter 

 of fact and disturbing to our youthful belief in fairies 

 and wood-nymphs, opens up a field of inquiry which 

 must tend to enlarge our viewpoint and increase our 

 appreciation of Nature's wonderful methods. We 

 find that all is governed by laws which act and react 

 in such manner as to insure the end and object de- 

 sired. 



Briefly the autumn metamorphosis is effected as 

 follows: 



At the approach of winter leaves which cannot 

 withstand frost cease to function as food factories and 

 the residue food substances are conveyed from the 

 leaf-blade into the woody branches or subterranean 

 rootstock and there stored, chiefly in the form of 

 starch, until the season of growth recommences the 

 following spring. The leaves from which everything 

 useful has been transported form nothing more than a 

 37 



