32 



birches became more numerous, also the foliage of many 

 wild shrubs became conspicuous for brighter hues ; an 

 ampelopsis vine on a lofty building became crimson in the 

 course of a few days ; a broad belt on the lower side of a 

 field of millet changed to a pale, grayish green, while the 

 upper portion, separated almost by a straight line, retained 

 its normal deep green color ; but a matter of more conse- 

 quence from an agricultural point of view was, that a farmer 

 not many miles away lost one half of the cranberries in his 

 bog ! It is during this second period that the red maples in 

 valleys and lowlands assume their most brilliant hues, cul- 

 minating in splendor from the 10th to the 15th of October. 

 Other plants conspicuous for color at this time are cornus 

 florida, witch hazel, yellow birch, several species of rhus 

 (poison dogwood and poison ivy), sassafras, clethra, grape 

 vine, smilax, hickory, tupelo, blackberry, blueberry, choke- 

 berry, hazelnut, Virginian creeper, etc. The landscape in 

 south-eastern Massachusetts during this period for the year 

 1900 was especially gorgeous with a profusion of the most 

 lovely tints. Upon the appearance of frost in October we 

 enter upon the final period for deciduous foliage. In the 

 present year on the night of 



Oct. 16, the thermometer registered 34° ; ice was seen in one locality. 

 " 17, "■ '• " 34°; there was a hoar frost. 



" 19, •• "• " 28° ; ice and frost were formed. 



" 20, " " '• 34°; frost was noticed. 



These were the minima temperatures shown by a self- 

 registering thermometer. The temperature varies greatl}^ 

 in different localities. The above were registered in the 

 city proper: in the country, away from the seashore, it is 

 often lower. 



While the landscape just before these frosts was resplen- 

 dent with gay colors induced by the double agencies of 

 drought and frost, a little attenticm to the subject disclosed 

 the fact that perhaps not much more than fifty per cent, of 



