THE CHERRY. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



HEN a golden line of King-cups marks the winding of 

 the streamlet through the withy-bed, and the tender 

 green of the coppice scarcely conceals a carpet of 

 anemones on the ground, the white blossom on the 

 wild fruit trees holds a foremost place in the harmony of Spring 

 colours in the woods. The Wild Plum, the Pear, the Crab Apple, 

 the Bird Cherry and the Wild Cherry, all contribute their share. 

 The Cherry has brighter tones to blend with the rest. The whole 

 tree is full oi suggestions of colour. Brilliant patches of orange and 

 crimson show where the sun is shining through the thin leaf-blades, 

 v/hile, even before they unfold, the leaves give hack a glitter from 

 their glossy under-sides. The branches hold tints of pewter-gray, of 

 purple and of brown, the stipules of brown and orange, while the 

 leaves have rose-red stalks and the flower-buds are pink. When the 

 bluebell and the orchis replace the anemone these buds expand, and 

 clusters of white blossom and bright leaves hang on every twig. 



Lovelies! "I trees, the cherry now 

 Is hung with bloom along the bough, 

 And stands about the woodland ride 

 Wearing white for Eastertide. 



I I AHSMAN. 



