53 



tree, Diospyros virginiana. Mr. Brown thinks this may be the most 

 northern specimen of persimmon. We followed a trail through a 

 wilder portion of woodland at the back of the estate, but as we ap- 

 proached the Beach house again from the rear we found some other 

 less-common plants: Quercus phellos, Aesculns parviflora, Chion- 

 anthus virginica, unusually attractive with its dark blue fruits ; 

 Gymnocladus diocca, Acer negundo, and Madura pomijera. This 

 of course is but a partial list of the plants on the estate, and one 

 must see them to fully appreciate the magnificence which some of 

 them have attained in their fifty odd years of growth. 



Harold H. Clum 



Trip of October 20 to 22 to Mohonk Lake 



The 47 members and friends who gathered at the Lake Mohonk 

 Mountain House found the Shawangunks to be at the height of 

 their autumn coloring. Both hardw^oods and softwoods contributed 

 to the beautiful mosaic. We were told that the foliage had started 

 to turn ten days later than normally, had colored up quite fast and 

 was lasting longer than usual. The long continued summer drought 

 and very late first frost were believed to be contributing factors. 



On Saturday morning a large group set out for Millbrook 

 Mountain, enjoying the thrill of a six mile "straw ride" behind 

 horses. Near Sleepy Hollow a fine buck was seen bounding across 

 the road. The ride along Underclifif road which is a narrow track 

 carved out of a steep talus slope at the foot of a towering escarp- 

 ment was awe inspiring. A three foot blacksnake was seen sunning 

 himself on a rock. 



The Millbrook Trail is comparatively easy and gives no warn- 

 ing of the magnificent panorama which greets one from the top. 

 The distant haze merely served to emphasize the riot of color of 

 nearby slopes and valleys. Box lunches were eaten at the very sum- 

 mit of the mountain while we watched an intermittent flight of 

 hawks sail by, undoubtedly headed for Hawk Mountain which is 

 on a continuation of this ridge. A stiff south wind gave them plenty 

 of "up lift." Eleven Sharp-shins. 2 Turkey Vultures, and a Red- 

 tail were identified, while two other Buteos and a Falcon were seen 

 high overhead. 



The afternoon route took us back through Coxing Clove to 

 Lake Minnewaska, where we enjoyed a different view of the Cat- 



