AUTUMNAL COLOR ON THE LAWN. 123 



make the richest points of color in the landscape, but 

 must be contented to heighten very materially the quieter 

 tints of the background. Since, moreover, it is elegant 

 and symmetrical in outline, one of our very choicest 

 shade trees, it should stand well forward in the mass or 

 background. 



The scarlet or red maple is the richest in autumnal color 

 of all maples ; I was about to say of all trees. It seldom 

 fails during any autumn to change more or less splendidly ; 

 and therefore deserves to stand out a single flaming monu- 

 ment in the van of all autumnal color. There is something 

 quite indescribable in the glow and intensity of tint often 

 displayed by this maple. Is it ignorance or the want of 

 seeing eyes that causes its lack of employment on the lawn ? 

 It is true, the scarlet maple is slower-growing than the 

 sugar maple, of less regular and pleasing outline, and 

 certainly less beautiful and satisfactory at other seasons of 

 the year. But in fall, it simply reigns supreme. 



Scarcely less beautiful than the scarlet maple are some 

 of the oaks. Many of them, like the Turkey, English, and 

 pyramidal oaks, are grandly effective in the background 

 with their solid dark-green tints. Bat the white, red, and 

 scarlet oaks — American species all — take on the most dis- 

 tinct and glowing autumnal colors. All oaks are too much 

 neglected in lawn-planting. Whether for color, form, or 

 rugged longevity, they are invaluable for ornamental pur- 

 poses on the lawn. Here, too, while speaking of oaks, I 

 should again mention the golden oak (Quercus Concordia). 

 This tree serves as an instance where — although it too 

 is apt to lose its beauty somewhat before the Indian 



