THROUGH THE CHANGING YEAR 121 



article by Professor Weiss in the National 

 Home- Reading Union Magazine, He tells 

 us that while, after the sight of the brilliant 

 colouring of autumn, the sight of falling leaves 

 engenders melancholy, **for the trees it is a 

 matter of prime importance, and a preparation 

 for the battle against an inclement season". 

 In naval phraseology the trees are only clearing 

 the decks for action. ''The loss of foliage," 

 our article tells us, ''is largely a protection 

 against loss of water either in a season of 

 drought or in a season of cold when the roots 

 are unable to draw water out of a cold and 

 often frozen soil. Our evergreen conifers have 

 therefore leaves of small size and of dense and 

 highly protected nature." It may be desirable 

 to say here that it is through the leaves that 

 the trees part with moisture. We read on : 

 "In trees with deciduous foliage a change can 

 be noted with the commencement of the 

 autumn, when, with lessened activity of the 

 roots, the ascent of sap becomes reduced. 

 Then, at the base of the leaf stalk, a thin, 

 but impervious cork layer is formed, which 

 gradually reduces the amount of water supplied 

 to the leaf; and this privation of nutriment 



