132 AUTUMNAL COLOR ON THE LAWN 



all climbers in fall. The outline of its leaves and the 

 lustre of its tints at all seasons of the year are very 

 beautiful, but in fall its subtle hues of red and green 

 ai'e positively unsurpassed in their way. 



Celast/i'us scandens, the common bitter-sweet, is well 

 worth planting for autumn effect at the base of dead or 

 naked trunks. It is often brilliantly crimson and grows 

 vigorously, bearing rich orange-colored berries. 



In thus dwelling on certain plants suitable for produ- 

 cing fine autumnal colors, I have not attempted to describe 

 the entire list. It is enough that those enumei'ated consti- 

 tute a rich collection of lovely colors. Autumnal nature 

 leaves us splendidly. Her falling robes are gathered about 

 her in such a regal fashion, and amid such pure airs and 

 tender skies, that it hardly seems right to mourn for her. 

 The sadness of her passing away is forgotten in the effect 

 of her proud splendor and the certainty of her resurrection 

 in a few months. 



Is it not somewhat strange that these effects and combi- 

 nations are seldom attempted on the lawn. An army with 

 banners on the greensward could hardly be more impres- 

 sive than such scenes if approached for the first time. I 

 think, moreover, the magnificence of these effects is intensi- 

 fied by the uncertainty that attaches itself to their yearly 

 recurrence. No one has fg.thomed the laws that regulate 

 their development. It is not frost, nor dry weather, nor 

 rain exactly that favors their greatest brilliance. Doubtless 

 maturity and decay are the main factors in their production, 

 yet some years we hardly find them at all, and again the 

 glow will burst upon us when wq least expect it, and when 



