The New York herald., 1921-10-23
Autumn Glories of the Maine Woods
Nature Surprises With Scenic Wonders and Cuides
With Tales of Forest Denzens.


Up In the woods and fields of Maine
we are now witnessing again the third
act In the great and glorious scenic
play which mankind Is privileged 10 en-
JOY at each recurring fall Of the year.
The stage was set by the balmy
late summer weeks which blended into
early fall almost unnoticed then one
evening In late September the sun set
amid q massive bank OF fuffy blue,
white ana golden clouds IT'S last rays
spread over thousands Of acres of forest
and fields and seemed to. linger as II
they were reluctant to withdraw their
benehcent light from this vast and awe
inspiring panorama. Primitive nature
in all It's simplicity and full maturity Of
the season was here and srrayed mag
nihoently in many different shades- Of
green.
There we're soft velvety green's varying
in degrees which marked the aromatic
balsafn fir. the hemlocls. spruce. tama-
rack, red pine. white pine. white cedar.
red cedar ana butternut; also poplar.
blue beech, white. gray and yellow
birch: red. yellow and white oak, noun
tain ash. honey locust. NAPLES, ash. syc-
amore. ana numerous other species Of
the forest family.
But during the still. clear night that
followed this memorable sunset q heavy
dew descended. and from out the great
mountain ranges of the north and north
west q cool, crisp wind swept gently
over the vast area Of the entire state
except the extreme southern end.
Now in place of the cool. sweet dew
that only q few hours previously had
settled over the woods and fields were
to be seen innumerable minute frozen
particles of moisture, lending a sill
very mantle to all nature while the
clear, full moon set in a canopy of
million scintillatins diamonds illumined
the vast expanse with magic brilliancy.
Then the curtain Of the night rose
with the break Of day. The glorious
sun appeared across the Kennebec val
ley and It's rays grew In warmth. Its
HIGHT and gentle heat flooded the vast
forests. plains, mountains and valleys.
sweeping away The heavy white coating
OF 1rOSC WHICH Qdu SpdTcu ouiy ehV NcSp
ravines and secluded hooks.
FOR few brief moments the slisten-
Ing mantle Of silver spread over the
entire landscape as far as the human
eye could sec, then gradually. like
faint shadow, the white sheen disap-
peared. FOR q short time no change
was noticeable In natures beautiful. soft
green, endless mantle.
But a transition had been wrought.
for all of sudden n cluster OF q haif
hundred gold and vermilion leaves stood
out on. great trees surrounded by their
Dark green contrasting companion
leaves. Then the glory of it all began
to unfold with the following days. A
vast canvas Of green, gold. brown. sere,
red and yellow; canvas OF multi
colored foliage burst forth and CAUSED
the fortunate beholder to pause In awe
and reverence.
Then the variegated leaves began to
fall, filter. swirl, dance and play IN
the crisp wind, then find resting place
upon the soft green carpet OF the earth.
In the glens and dales and across open
places the birds swept gracefully, sing
ing with seemingly unusual sweetness and
melody. The small wild animals ran,
jumped. chartered and disappeared In
the underbrush with a show OF Industry
portending a severe winter.
Along the smooth highways bclated
tourists in luggage laden automobiles
sped from out this vast amphitheatre
OF natures mastcrful designing. back to
the busy narts Of trade and commerce.
But these are not all OF the wonders
spread out here for mankind to enjoy.
These have been mostly scenic effects
pleasing to the eye, gladdening to the
heart and soothing to the soul. There
nre other and more tangible things.
things that appeal strongly TO tho ap-