SPRING EFFECTS ON THE LA WN. 37 



ricli, cool green last fall, we find ourselves again in early- 

 spring dwelling on the same pleasant leaf colors gradually 

 developed, but preceded by the lovely silvery flower-buds 

 known as pussies or catkins. 



There are European alders and several well-known 

 American alders that it would be well to employ for their 

 charming appearance at this season. Alnus imperiaUs 

 ladniata, the cut-leaved alder, and Almis firma, the Japan 

 alder, are also fine in early spring. 



All willows are effective in early spring, but the goat 

 willow, Salix caprea, parent of the weeping Kilmarnock 

 willow, is particularly noteworthy for attractive early spring 

 development. In similar fashion the royal willow (Salix 

 regaUs)^ the common weeping willow, and the i-osemary 

 willow distinguish themselves, furnishing us the delightful 

 bits of cool silvery-gray or olive-green color so characteristic 

 of much of the foliage of the early days of spring. 



It would seem as if the birch was lovely during every 

 hour of the year, for even winter landscapes are greatly 

 beautified by the birch's picturesque white stems and 

 delicate branching. In spring, however, the soft delicate 

 satin sheen of its unfolding leaf-buds are dainty and 

 surpassingly beautiful to those who will take the trouble to 

 examine their refined charms. For early spring purposes the 

 ordinary American bir-ches, the canoe birch, and black and 

 yellow birches and the common European birch are sufficient. 

 The cut-leaved and purple-leaved bii'ches of course stand 

 eminent among rare trees for their distinctive beauty. 



While on the subject of attractive early spring foliage, 

 we should dwell especially on the larches. The tender soft 



