50 MORE POT-POURRI 



the slanting sunlight ; or in spring, when the tiny leaves 

 make flickering light and shade ; or in the cool thickness 

 on a summer's day. The fact that nothing grows under 

 beech-wood gives a very distinguished and unusual effect, 

 accustomed as we are to the dull walls of evergreens. 

 For the young who wish to plant a most unusual 

 approach, I can suggest nothing better. 



The planting along the roads and hedgerows in 

 England of Apples, Cherries and Damsons, would cost 

 no more than any other trees, and would be both orna- 

 mental and useful. These three fruit-trees, once well 

 planted, require no other care. The impression is that 

 the fruit would be stolen, but I believe that to be a matter 

 of custom, and when once people understand that taking 

 fruit is stealing they cease to do it. Growing fruit-trees 

 in open fields is universal on the Continent, and I am told 

 that they are never touched. 



My love of autumn with its recurring beauty does not 

 dull with age or loneliness, and I am often astonished at 

 the interest that is still so keen about all that surrounds 

 me. Perhaps it ought not to be so, for I find quoted in 

 my notebook the following complaint : 



How much is lost when neither heart nor eye 

 Eose-winged desire or fabling hope deceives ; 

 When boyhood with quick throb has ceased to spy 

 The dubious apple in the yellow leaves ; 

 When, rising from the turf where youth reposed, 

 We find but deserts in the far- sought shore ; 

 When the huge book of fairy-land lies closed, 

 And those strong brazen clasps will yield no more ! 



October IQth. The beautiful gossamer time has come 

 again. Most mothers now cultivate in their children a 

 love of flowers, but it is astonishing how rarely a love 

 of insects is taught. I do not mean a mawkish fear of 

 killing them, for very often they have to be killed. I 



