29 
snow the birds turned to the Spindle 
Trees, but not until their rich effect had 
won increasing admiration which cul- 
minated in that feast of red and white. 
More certain in its fruiting than the 
first-fruits are exhausted and the eye 
has had its reward. It is one of those 
easily contented wildHngs to which all 
things come alike, sand or clay, moisture 
or drought, sun or shade; the Spindle 
Holly, the drooping clusters of crimson 
— parted to show the orange-coloured 
seeds within, are still richer in effect, 
and while they often go to feed the 
birds at last, it is only after the autumn 
Tree is never unhappy, 
and while it may be 
urged that at other 
seasonsone might pass 
it by without a second 
glance,whenthe leaves 
have turned a rich cla- 
ret red and the scarlet 
" monks'- cowls " as 
the French call them, 
shine forth, there is 
no laboured garden 
picture wrought out through months 
of toil and forethought that can put to 
shame this impromptu feast of colour. 
Wherever a sunny glade or open 
space exists in woodland, there are few 
The Broad-Leaved Spindle Tree. 
