There is a whole world of natural art out there at our finger tips. These are art forms we'll never find at the AGO where artists get recognition when their work is exhibited. Mother Nature creates her work on a different medium which is accepted without our really seeing what we've been given. (Unless of course 'man' sees a monetary value in it).

One outstanding example is the split cedar railings in this part of the province. This is a common feature of the landscape which I pointed out to my teen-age grandson on the Hockley Road. This was a typical trip which he made regularly without ever 'seeing' it. At one time farmers cut cedar trees, split the trunks which were fastened together to form a fence containing cattle. This common usage of a natural barrier represents an art form throughout our farmland. However replacement of old fences or creating new ones involves a great deal of work. Establishment of a chainlink fence is a common alternative, useful, less-work, but lacking scenic attractiveness.

From an artistic perspective the old pine stump fence is a common feature of rural Ontario, from the days of clearing forests to open up farm lands. In those days large white pine were often found as a component of the landscape. As the property was cleared for farming the pine provided good material as barn materials and the stumps were dragged to the edge of the field where they formed an intricate barrier. Society has awakened to the beauty of these root masses adding character to property landscape. I have enjoyed picking up odd sections of roots for property decoration. One outstanding example forms an attractive backdrop to a large flower garden in front of the office of Somerville Nurseries in Simcoe county. This natural art-form now also attracts the attention of the commercial world as being of monetary value in landscaping.

A common form of art is a tree leaf. The oak especially has intricate foliage designs completely unseen when it comes to raking up the garden in the fall. Leaves are not only good compost they are something to be admired. Of even greater significance is the maple which we have chosen as a national symbol on our flag despite the fact the species doesn't occur beyond eastern Canada. Fall colours are a well known characteristic of the nation's fabric. However leaves are viewed as a fall nuisance in the front yard. Leaves make excellent compost but are hardly recognized for their artistic value.

Stone is another natural substance which is gaining recognition in landscaping. Rock gardens are prominent property features now whereas the use of rocks at one time was questionable.

Piles of rocks at the side of many fields attest to their nuisance value when a field is cleared for ploughing or tilling. I have admired a stone fireplace built by a friend of mine in Thunder Bay composed in part of waste amethyst rocks from a local quarry before the commercial world recognized their value. In the same vein a collection of washed limestone rocks from Tobermory about 50 years ago served a decorative purpose first in Mother's front garden and now in ours. A piece of brain coral from the Bahamas is a valued art example in our living-room.

I have collected some of nature's artwork in various parts of the world. This especially applies to seed pods. We pay little attention to pine cones in Canada but these are only a starting point. The Casuarina of the tropics produces a small pineapple shaped cone which is useful for craft purposes. Probably the most outstanding example is the 'flower' of the Cedrella tree from Central America. When the large 'cones' dry out and split open they leave a semblance of a highly decorative wooden flower.

There are many, many natural structures which adorn our forest lands here and abroad. It is unfortunate that these are so commonplace as to be largely ignored when we consider what is commonly called art. A world of artistry is at our fingertips but often too close to home to be recognized as beauty.