FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE OF SUMMER. 91 



doubtedly iustauced as capable of the most rapid growth, 

 but they are, it will be found, not positively fine in detail 

 like the beeches. 



The broad shining glossiness of the beech leaf sheds a 

 lustrous light and shade of the most grateful chai-acter. 

 There is plenty of shadow, but no disagreeable closeness 

 and weight of shade. The pleasant features of this shade 

 pertain to all beeches of whatever species or variety. Their 

 outline and coloring is alike fine in August as throughout 

 the season, and if the purple beech shows a greener tinge 

 on its foliage at midsummer, it still retains its early charm 

 of elegant contour, delightful lustre, and simple grace of 

 leafage. 



So well known are the pleasant summer qualities of the 

 purple and weeping beeches, and, for that matter, of the 

 simple, original type of both the American and European 

 species, that the very sound of their names brings back one 

 of the most agreeable and permanent pleasures of deep 

 midsummer — that of lying beneath their boughs recuhans 

 sub tegmine fagi. 



For this purpose, the importance of fostering the most 

 perfect development of the lower branches is at once 

 evident. To do this, it is not only necessary to preserve 

 these lower branches from mutilation by. carelessness or 

 unskilful and excessive pruning, but the growth of the tree 

 must be also restrained during youth, where an excessive 

 vigor may tend to diminish the luxuriousness of the foliage 

 near the ground. This applies more especially to the weep- 

 ing beech, but the suggestion has definite and considerable 

 value in the management of most kinds of trees. 



