52 TREES AND SHRUBS 



at the ends of the swaying boughs, and the Ash- 

 buds, as they make ready to burst their bonds, put 

 on a deeper hue. 



The Beeches keep their silken green tight shut 

 within their scale-bound points, and will not let it 

 unfold an hour too soon ; but look at the lovely 

 colouring, now silvern, now golden green, of the 

 Lichen-stains on the smooth grey bark. Contrast 

 it with the deeply-chiselled ribs of the Sweet Chest- 

 nut, the rugged armour-plates of the Oak, the thin 

 white tissue of the dainty Silver Birch. It is this 

 diversity, these contrasts, which make up the charm 

 of winter, while the sombre green of Fir and 

 Yew intermingling with the leafless trees gives just 

 the touch of warmth and comfort which winter 

 lacks. If any of these bless our gardens with their 

 gracious presence, let us hesitate long before any 

 trivial inconvenience tempts us into doing away 

 with them. A single group of Silver Birches, one 

 spreading Beech, a clump of Scotch Fir, with a 

 stretch of grass beneath them, is more precious to 

 look out upon in the winter garden than all the 

 borders and rockeries that can be devised. Urge 

 as we may, however, for their own sake, the fitness 

 and constant delight of our native trees and ever- 

 green shrubs, we plead for them, no less, because 

 by their well-advised use our sheltered gardens may 

 become congenial abiding-places for the strangers 

 we may invite within our gates. 



Do we profit as much as we might by the wealth 

 of garden beauty, in the way of trees and shrubs, 



