A MELLOW OCTOBER DAY 317 



blue colour upon their leaves to-day. The sun 

 kisses them, and as one notices the light and 

 shadow upon the rich copper-like boles, and wades 

 through the mass of quickly fading Bracken under- 

 neath, it is like unto a living fairyland of quiet 

 and unobtrusive beauty. 



How delightful the companionship of trees! 

 How often have I sought quiet communion with 

 them, walked with them and among them, spoken 

 to them, watched the tiny sapling grow up into 

 manhood and marvelled at the forest giant. Give 

 me trees, trees, trees, and still more trees. Have 

 you ever thought for one brief moment what we 

 owe to them? They beautify the landscape, 

 purify the air, temper the winds, influence the 

 rainfall, consolidate the soil, are happy sanctuaries 

 for birds. Squirrels, insects, and other animals; 

 whilst they afford us shelter, food, raiment, and 

 timber! 



That an Arbor Day will be instituted in this 

 country, as has been so successfully accomplished 

 in America, is my fervent hope. There can be no 

 happier or better method of celebrating any event 

 than by planting a tree. The acres of barren 

 waste still found in this country might well be 

 utilised, and where now a tract of poor, untilled 

 land exists it is possible in a few years to evolve 

 by judicious husbandry a wild greenwood of sur- 

 passing beauty. 



