_November 2d._
The summer is gone. The autumn is here. Not this year, as last, in the
plenitude of color, but more soberly, frugally, and sedately. The
autumn of 1871 was eminently a color season. Only once in three or
four years does Nature make a full pallet. Then the colors are pure,
intense, tender, and fresh. Such was last year. The scarlets were
brilliant, the orange was pure, the crocuses and yellows were clear
and rich. But, as autumnal days steal upon us now, we see already that
we shall have picture-forests of only second or third rate brilliancy.
The hickories are of a rusty and spotted golden brown. The maples are
fine, yet not exquisite.
The sumach is always brilliant. So are some of the vines. The
pepperidge-tree (_Nyssa sylvatica_) is very fine. If any one doubts
it, let him go over to Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, not far from the
stone cottage, on the south side, and he will have an opportunity to
review his opinion, and to wonder why it is that one of the most
magnificent color trees of the American forests is so little known or
introduced into decorated grounds. It ranks among the very first in
merit, and stands among the very last in use.
By the way, the parks of New York and Brooklyn should be used for
something else and more than mere walking and driving. They are the
best schools that America possesses for the study of trees and shrubs.
There are few things which our climate will allow to grow that may not
be found here, under circumstances which tend to produce their most
favorable development. Gentlemen who have country places may, by some
little pains, here see just what things they need, how to combine them
for the best effects, and how to provide for them soil and site. Once
possessed, the love of trees becomes a passion, and inspires more
pleasure than one can imagine who has never become an enthusiast in
that direction.
One may learn, particularly in the Brooklyn Park, the value of the new
_golden_ evergreens of various sorts. They are destined to work a
revolution in yards and gardens. Some of the more choice ones are
marvels of brilliancy, and carry their glowing yellows right through
the winter. One may learn in these parks how to decorate _rocks_.
There is many a place in the country abounding in outcropping ledges,
huge bowlders, or jutting rocks, which the proprietor wishes he could
dig out and cart away. But he is rich who has large rocks upon his
grounds. If one will see what use can be made of them, what a frame
they furnish for mosses, ferns, vines, and various elegant shrubs, he
will cease foolishly spending money to get rid of that which many men
would gladly spend money to obtain.
It is a fortunate thing for our country that so much attention is now
paid to the planting of trees. We hope to see the day when no longer
ninety-nine in every hundred that are planted in streets or yards
shall be maples and elms. What a sight would be a road on which one
could ride for a mile through an avenue of scarlet oaks, and then for
a mile through stately avenue of tulip-trees, and then through lines
of scarlet maples, pepperidge-trees, cypress, or long rows of
gentlemanly walnut-trees! The time will come when, on the great roads,
one may travel a whole day in the shade of stately trees.
It is not enough to plant your own grounds. Every village should line
its streets with shade trees. It is not enough to plant shade trees in
the streets. They ought to outrun the town, and reach from village to
village, until the whole region is filled with shadowed roads. In
doing this, we ought to avoid the monotony of a few varieties
endlessly reproduced, and make a generous use of the noble sorts that
are so abundantly scattered over our forests and fields.