OUR TREES IN WINTER. 47 



If the Conifers survive the winter uninjured, with their 

 leaves on, it is because these leaves are almost destitute 

 of water, so very thick, and at the same time offer so 

 little resistance to the winds. 



The Laurels and Andromedas, although their leaves are 

 broader, follow the example of the Conifers as far as pos- 

 sible, and being low shrubs, they are protected by the 

 high trees, among which they often grow. 



Few, however, among our woody plants, are Conifers, 

 or evergreens of other sorts. They are mostly trees or 

 shrubs, having in summer broad leaves, and belong to the 

 great class previously mentioned, the Exogens, among 

 which are all of our hard wood trees. 



But the majority of our Exogens cannot conveniently 

 have, in summer, a broad expanse of leaves, and then 

 contract or solidify this great leaf surface at once for 

 winter. Thick leaves are too expensive to make for one 

 season's use only. Then too, with such a sail set to the 

 wintry blast, as would be presented by almost every tree, 

 hardly one would pass through the winter without sus- 

 taining serious damage ; but tattered and torn, they 

 would be sorry objects to greet the opening of spring. 

 These trees, therefore, must furnish themselves with a 

 clothing of cheap leaves, which they can afford to cast 

 off at the end of the season, to be replaced in the spring 

 by a new suit, quickly made for immediate use. 



The exploded idea, that the highly colored leaves of 

 our New England woods in autumn are the work of early 

 frosts, still lingers in the minds of some, reluctant to 

 give up the old tradition. That an early frost is an in- 

 jury to them, there is no do'ubt. 



It arrests the life of the leaf prematurely. It prevents 

 the leaf from performing its last offices in a satisfactory 

 manner. It even may prevent the little bud that is being 



