TREE PLANTING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 43 



still, the pinnate leaves of the Poison Sumach entrap the fingers of the unwary with 

 all the brightest colors seen in autumn. Hence the collector of bright specimen 

 leaves should become familiar with the appearance and dangerous character of these 

 shrubs. 



There are some seasons in which the autumnal coloring of the foliage seems 

 especially brilliant, although it is doubtful if there is as great a difference in this 

 respect as might be inferred from the oft-heard remarks on this particular point. 

 Opinions as to the comparative vividness of the tints in any year may vary accord- 

 ing to the conditions under which chance observations are made. If a person jour- 

 neys through a region in which, owing to the prevalence of certain species, only the 

 yellow shades are seen, the absence of the red and scarlet tints may readily induce 

 the opinion that the woods are not at their best this season ; and, on the other 

 hand, if the observations are made in places where the Oaks, Maples, and Gums 

 light up the woods with their blazing colors, the natural conclusion is that the trees 

 look unusually fine that fall. 



The sportsman whose fall hunting is done in the vast brule of the Ottawa valley 

 will see little aside from yellow on the trees, with no reds except on an occasional 

 Maple or clump of Sumachs; while the tourist, looking from his car window at the 

 Berkshire slopes or Short Hills of New Jersey would note with pleasure the scarlet 

 foliage which the Oaks and various other species display annually throughout those 

 places. Careful observations made each year of the mountain slopes in the Adiron- 

 dacks and Alleghanies show no marked difference in the annual tinting of the 

 forests. There may be some fall in which the maturing leaves seem to show a 

 brighter color; but if the observation is made at the same place and on the same 

 recurring date it would require a critical eye and good memory to distinguish the 

 alleged variation. 



It must be remembered, also, that these color effects are far more brilliant and 

 impressive when observed on a bright, sunny day and in a dry, clear atmosphere ; 

 and that the autumn foliage loses much of its attractive appearance when viewed 

 under cloudy skies or with the air obscured by haze or dampness. One beautiful 

 effect of the sunlight in enhancing leaf colors may be obtained by standing under a 

 White Oak, or any tree with red leaves, and looking towards the sun. With the 

 transmitted light the leaves assume a far brighter color and a different hue than in 

 reflected light ; the dull, solid red changes into a fiery glow or rich wine color of 

 marvellous beauty. In the Bronx park, near the path on the west side of the 

 Beaver pond, stands a large White Oak which, on any bright afternoon in late Octo- 

 ber, will afford the visitor a good opportunity to study this charming revelation of 



