316 
RURAL HOURS. 
much lighter tint, while the usual progress with the coloring of 
the foliage is from light to dark. The Virginia creeper is wnd 
cherry color, as usual, and its leaves are already dropping ; they 
are always the first to fall The birches are yellow, more so than 
usual ; the elms also ; the lime-trees deep orange. The aspens 
are quite green still, as well as the Lombardy poplars, and the 
willows. 
Tliey are digging the potatoes ; the crop is not a bad one in 
this neighborhood ; some of the Carters, especially, aie very fine, 
large and mealy ; and there is generally but little of the decay 
yet. Some of the farmers expect to lose onlj'^ a fourth of the 
crop, others more, some few even less. But the disease often 
shows itself after the potatoes are in the cellar. 
Wednesday, Mh . — Sky soft, but cloudy. How rapid are the 
changes in the foliage at this season ! One can almost see the 
colors growing brighter. The yellows are more decided, the 
scarlet and crimson spreading farther, with a pink flush rising on 
many trees where yellow prevails, especially among the maples. 
Still there is a clear vein of green perceptible ; not the verdure 
of the pine and hemlock, but the lighter greens of the aspens and 
beeches, Avith some oaks and chestnuts not yet touched. Indeed, 
the Avoods are very beautiful to-day ; the general effect is charm- 
ing, Avhile here and there Ave note a scarlet maple, a golden birch, 
so brilliantly vivid that we are really amazed at the richness and 
beauty of their coloring. 
The children are out nutting ; it is the chestnuts which are the 
chief attraction with them — they are very common here. A 
merry group of boys and girls were chatting JiAA^ay in the “ Chest- 
nut Grove” this afternoon, as Ave passed. Black Avalnuts are not 
