Evening star., 1932-10-03
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRACEWELL.

The year has no more beautiful dis
play than its Fall leaves, gradually as
sumed, and then showered down in
such plenty. The apparent change is
in the coloration, but the real mutation
lies in the destruction of the wonderful
laboratories in each leaf. After that
change there comes another and even
greater one, that of the loss of the
leaves from the branches.
Then the streets and yards stand
forth with bare trees, through which
vistas of homes lest to view for half q
year appear as If by magic.
Lost chimneys and doorways come
PACK, and with them the people over
there who belong TO them.
Late Spring was characterized by the
blotting out Of much which was IA
miliar. At the time few persons, even
obServant persons. thought Of the mat
ter IN exactly that way.
They talked great deal of the
growth Of plants" and the 'leafing out
OF the trees" but few Of them stopped
at the time to realize that these same
plants and leaves were obliterating q
great deal OF their familiar viewpoints.
1t Is easier, at this time, to realize
that the old views are coming back as
the leaves make ready to drop to the
ground
Slight coloration changes have taken
place all around. As yet they are not
vivid, or many, but q careful survey
reveals them to the gardener.
few bright berries have appeared
on certain bushes and vines.
Certain stalks or leaves have slightly
turned color at edges. As yet the lilac
leaves are fresh enough, as fresh as
lilac leaves remain, owing to the mildew
which SO often touches them.
Leaves OF the sturdy altheas are still
bright and fresh. What wonderful
plant this is! In sun or shade 1t does
well. Its blossoms in the single form
are old-fashioned flowers Of memory
In the newer. double form, its flowers
resemble roses
Some Autumns the althea bushes lose
their leaves in early September, but
this year, especially where planted in
part shade, they are holding them ex-
tremely late, thereby adding another
good point to most satisfactory garden
performer A mild sort Of contempt
has grown up. in the minds of some
amateur gardeners, against this grand
old favorite. Surely the althea does
not deserve anything but the respect
and admiration Of the gardening World
Common? Yes. but so Is eating, and
no one thinks any the less Of the neces-
sary intake of food because Of that fact
The commonest acts may be made dear
to us, II We do them in the right way,
with the right mind. and in the right
spirit.
1t is the same with flowers and shrubs
Just because a plant has been planted
a million times Is no reason for turning
up ones garden nose at it. The fact
that some one else may have an abun-
dance of it ought not to prevent one
from having it and liking it. No one
refuses to eat bread because other peo-
pie eat bread. Yet some amateur gar
deners harbor likes and dishkes on pre-
cisely that queer sort of theory For
them to see a plant in a friends yard
is enough to make them refuse to have
anything to do with it. Or they may
search for flowers which are unusual
not because of beauty Of blossom or in
teresting habits of growth. but solely be-
cause they feel that ncne Of their ac-
quaintances will know it or possess it.
Such attitudes may be regarded as
mistaken because horticulture in all it:
branches. from the most humble to the
largest planting Is as old as the hills
The worth OF worthy plant is toe
firmly established for any one to change
its status now. The commoneSt and
cheapest flowers look equally at home
in the rich mans garden as in the door,
yard of the lowliest cottage. A simple
bed of zinnias stands beautiful guard
at the entrance gateway of one Of the
city's smaller estates No matter where
planted, they would be fine
And. no matter where planted, small
changes are coming over them. Sue
| ceeding nights Of lowered temperature
remind these growing children of Ma
1 ture that change is their necessary fate
I Change they must, and change they
\ will, in the amplitude of time 1t is
the worlds first wisdom and one We
/ must all learn BY heart at last