THROUGH THE CHANGING YEAR 139 



No transparencies are finer than this sun-illu- 

 mined canopy of green, and whilst the leaves 

 are quite young and perfect, they are cut out 

 so clearly as to have a grandly decorative 

 effect." Often have I proved the truth of this 

 appreciation. Later, when the leaves are fully 

 grown, few trees afford a better protection from 

 rain ; which has to be heavy and long con- 

 tinued before more than a few stray drops can 

 find their way to the ground. Our admiration 

 for the tree is increased if we stand under it in 

 a heavy shower, as well protected as if a solid 

 roof were over our head. The birch and the 

 beech are fairly early comers. How fresh and 

 sweet is the green of the young beech -leaves ! 

 The oak and the ash, and, among the smaller 

 trees, the false acacia are among the latest 

 comers. The young oak-leaves are almost 

 russet ; most other leaves open out a quiet 

 green. When all the trees are in leaf the 

 orchestra is complete, summer has fully arrived. 

 Nature's great leaf-symphony is being played. 



When this time has come, it is interesting to 

 look back and make comparisons with winter. 

 The change has been so gradual that we do 

 not always realise how great it has been. The 



