Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1914 — Why Leaves Change Color. [ARTICLE]

Why Leaves Change Color.

Despite the commonness of autumn»' coloring, we do not yet know the fufit meaning of autumn colors of leaves. We do know that late in the summer? the tree is preparing for the loaf fall! by drawing the valuable substances * of the leaf which aids in the making! of the plant’s food, and this gradu-> ally fades away in the bright light By fading, it exposes to view any other colors in the leaf; and all leaves contain yellow coloring matters called xauthophyl (whose function Is not known), and it is these which give j thsyeUow color to - autumn leaves. The red Is formed differently: In bright.light and cool temperature a new substance, called erythrophyl, Is made from sugar and tannin in the leaf cells, and that bss a red color. ▲ brown substance Is also sometimes formed, and, besides, the skeleton at the leaf dies. It Is the various combinations of these substances that give the many shades of autumn colors. Some students think these colors are a useful protection to the living protoplasm (life material) of the leaf after the green disappears, pro- ' tecting it against the full blase of tight, which Is injurious; but others think the colors have no use at all but are simply the incidental ehemleal result of the processes In the ripening and dying leaf.—Bt Nicholas. , Th# average age at which women ]