STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 



Yon tall dead tree that stands above the river's brink is 

 wreathed with a dense mantle of foliage not its own. The 

 changing hues of the leaves, the deep purplish clusters of 

 fruit, now partially seen, now hidden from the view, have 

 given a life and beauty to that dead, unsightly tree. 



The ambitious parasite has climbed unchecked to the very 

 topmost branch, and now flings down its luxuriant arms,, 

 vainly endeavoring to clasp some distant bough ; but no, the 

 distance is beyond its reach, and it must once more bend 

 earthward or, in lieu of better support, entwine its flexible 

 tendrils in a tangled network of twisted sprays, leafstalks, 

 and embowering leaves and fruit. 



The fruit of the Frost Grape our northern grape-vine 

 is small. The berries, round, blue or black, with little or 

 no bloom, very acid, but edible when touched by the frost, 

 and can be manufactured into a fine jelly and good wine of 

 a deep color and high flavor. Whole islands in the Trent 

 and Rice Lake are covered with a growth of this native 

 Grape. There is not a lake in Canada but has its " Grape 

 Island," and many persons cultivate the plants about their 

 dwellings over light trellis work, under which circumstances 

 they will yield an abundance of fruit. They are also very 

 useful to conceal unsightly objects, such as outhouses. An 

 old pine stump can be converted into an ornamental object 

 by nailing cedar poles fastened at the top round it, and 

 planting grape-vines about it, having first prepared a bed 

 of good earth and large stones to bank the lower part; a 

 few plants of the Wild Clematis intermixed with the Grape- 

 vine, and a sprinkling of Morning Glories, make a lovely 

 pyramid and convert a defect into a charming object during 

 many months of the year. 



The Wild Grape seems to flourish best in its natural state 

 near the water, but will grow and flourish well in gardens 



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