GETTING AC^AINTED WITH THE TREES 



nothing to the most artistic elm of New Eng- 

 land. And in the deep woods it sometimes 

 reaches a majesty and a dignity that compel ad- 

 miration. The great maple at Eagles Mere is 

 the king of the bit of primeval forest yet re- 

 maining to that mountain rest spot. It towers 

 high over mature hemlocks and beeches, and 

 seems well able to defy future centuries. 



But there is another very early maple to watch 

 for, and it is one widely distributed in the East- 

 ern States. The red or scarlet maple is well 

 named, for its flowers, not any more conspicu- 

 ous in form than those of its close relation, the 

 silver maple, are usually bright red or yellow, 

 and they give a joyous color note in the very be- 

 ginning of spring's overture. Not long are these 

 flowers with us; they fade, only to be quickly 

 succeeded by even more brilliant samaras, a little 

 more delicate and refined than those of the silver 

 maple, as well as of the richest and warmest hue. 

 Particularly in New England does this maple 

 provide a notable spring color showing. 



The leaves of the red maple — it is also the 

 swamp maple of some localities — as they open 

 to the coaxing of April sun and April showers, 



6 



