470 



THE NATURE BOOK 



they teach the need for a philosophic bright-toned blooms. But in winter, 



outlook on the world of leaves and flowers : when trees and shrubs stand naked and 



«-r,ii xt-t,^ 4. ^ 1 A 4. ■ only withered stalks mark the restine;- 



But know the best season to laugh and to sme, i ,■ n • i ^ j i 



Is summer, is winter, is autumn, is spring." place oi flowermg plants, the e^•ergreens 



come to their own again, their value is 



There is much to enjo}' in the garden undisputed, their attractiveness unchal- 



in winter, even when a carpet of snow lenged. Their warm-toned leaves give 



/Vi,.,-,i^ ,-,//,'/ /:_y /■: J. U'allis. Kew Green. 



"THE EVERGREENS STAND OUT STRONG AND DISTINCT IN A WORLD OF LEAFLESS TREES." 



hides the bare, cold earth, and rime- 

 covered twigs and shoots glitter and 

 glisten in the pale sunlight as it filters 

 through the clouded heavens. The ever- 

 greens then stand out strong and chstinct 

 in a world of leafless trees, while the 

 berries of some glow with a strange 

 brilliance that gains an added lustre in 

 the dull, dim, wintry light. At this season 

 the garden owes much of its attractiveness 

 to evergreens, and it is only now that their 

 true value is realised. In summer-time, 

 when the garden is aglow with the varied 

 tints of trees and shrubs, and the brilhance 

 of blossoms, the evergreens pass unnoticed. 

 save perhaps as a foil to some unusuaUy 



cheeriness to the landscape, and the vivid 

 contrast of bare trees around serves but 

 to emphasize their charm. 



The perfect garden has perpetual beauty, 

 not only in the riot of summer bloom 

 and frail spring blossom, but even in 

 winter, when leaves have fallen and flowers 

 are faded, and it must depend for its 

 attractiveness on bright green leaves and 

 brilliant berries. Then the most ordinary 

 plants have a real value in the garden 

 scheme, such for instance as Laiu'el and 

 Privet, Auculm and BarlxMTy. These and 

 others of higher degree help to make the 

 garden pleasant in winter-time ; they 

 form indispensable links in the procession 



