THE BURNING BUSH 99 



the attributes of the tree. It is due, principally if not 

 wholly, to the crystals of the waste substances left when all 

 that is useful to the economy of the tree is withdrawn, has 

 migrated, has retired to winter quarters. But even this 

 refuse leaf has still its purpose to fill. 



The elm leaves, as indeed most others, are full of lime 

 in one form or another ; and though this is of no use to the 

 new buds that are to form for the coming spring, and is there - 



HORSE-CHESTNUT 



fore rejected, it is most useful to the soil, and will serve 

 later to feed the roots ; and so the circle will be complete. 

 In our kindly country, autumn may last for many months. 

 We may see the elms still green in the last week of 

 November ; and the elms, those pillars of English scenery, 

 are much the hardiest of all the more aspiring growths. 

 From a record of nature-study dates kept over many years 

 it appears that the fleshy and wide-leafed trees succumb 

 for the most part soon after the first week of October. A 

 frost and a misty morning, followed by a clearing sun, will 

 send every horse-chestnut leaf to the ground. They will 



