Let us remember that trees have some useful purpose, and are not to be destroyed without due thought. They add to the beauty of the landscape; they harbor the birds; they protect the orchards and crops; they hold back the water; they moisten the air; they furnish lumber, fuel, food, and medicine; and their leaves are rich in vegetable mold. Therefore, let us take care of the trees.

drought — a long period of dry weather.

wan'ton - reckless, heedless.

pulp wood fiber ground up with water and chemicals.

the process of converting skins into leather.

a sticky sap obtained from various trees.

to afford shelter and protection.

the trees?

In

How do they

Notes and Questions. What questions should we ask before we start to cut down a tree? In what way does the falling of a great tree remind one of a stricken giant"? In what way are the birds the farmer's friends? How do birds use what way do forest trees protect the orchards? protect crops? How do forests prevent river floods? things we get from trees. What is "leaf mold"? of all the things that trees do for us. How can we get all the fuel and lumber that we need, and still leave enough trees for future generations?

Name some

Make a list

To the Teacher.

Go with the children to a near-by forest and

study with them the condition of the trees.

THREE TREES

The pine tree grew in the wood,
Tapering, straight, and high;
Stately and proud it stood,

Black-green against the sky.
Crowded so close, it sought the blue,
And ever upward it reached and grew.

The oak tree stood in the field,
Beneath it dozed the herds;
It gave to the mower a shield,
It gave a home to the birds.

Sturdy and broad it guarded the farms
With its brawny trunk and knotted arms.

The apple tree grew by the wall,
Ugly and crooked and black;
But it knew the gardener's call,

And the children rode on its back.
It scattered its blossoms upon the air,
It covered the ground with fruitage fair.

"Now, hey," said the pine, "for the wood!

Come live with the forest band.

Our comrades will do you good,

And tall and straight you will stand." And he swung his boughs to a witching sound, And flung his cones like coins around.

"O-ho!" laughed the sturdy oak; "The life of the field for me.

I weather the lightning stroke ;

My branches are broad and free.

Grow straight and slim in the wood if you will,
Give me the sun and the wind-swept hill."

And the apple tree murmured low,
"I am neither straight nor strong;
Crooked my back doth grow

With bearing my burdens long."

And it dropped its fruit as it dropped a tear,
And reddened the ground with fragrant cheer.

And the Lord of the harvest heard,
And he said: "I have use for all;
For the bough that shelters a bird,
For the beam that pillars a hall;
And grow they tall, or grow they ill,
They grow but to wait their Master's will."

So a ship of the oak was sent

Far over the ocean blue,

And the pine was the mast that bent
As over the waves it flew,

And the ruddy fruit of the apple tree
Was borne to a starving isle of the sea.

Now the farmer grows like the oak,
And the townsman is proud and tall;
The city and field are full of folk-
But the Lord has need of all.

- C. H. CRANDALL.

Word Study.

ta'per ing

HELPS TO STUDY

gradually diminishing towards a point.

state'ly grand, dignified.

brawn'y strong, stalwart.

witch'ing

enchanting.

mast a long round piece of timber raised vertically on the keel of a ship to support the sails.

Notes and Questions. Describe each of the trees mentioned in the poem. Why did the pine like the wood? Why did the oak prefer "the sun and the wind-swept hill"? What did the apple tree murmur? What uses had the Lord of the harvest for the trees? What was made out of the oak? For what was the pine used? Where was the fruit of the apple tree sent? In what respect is the townsman like the pine and the countryman like the oak?

FOREST TREES

The tree, with its mighty pillar rising straight toward heaven, bears up its leafy arms above the impurities of earth, and supports them aloft in the free air and glorious sunshine. Thus, the tree is an emblem of what a true man should be. A tree is a shelter from the peltings of the storm and the scorchings of the fierce heat. A true man is likewise a refuge for the weak, a shelter for the oppressed — a defense for the defenseless, warding off from them the inroads of selfishness. He who is such a shield is, like the tree, an ornament and a blessing to his native land.

A fruit tree is a symbol of home and comfort and good cheer. It is the emblem of good works.

By the woodshed or the pump, or against the barn or over the garden fence, the apple tree or pear tree connects the residence with the world of life and space that stretches out to woods and farms. We rest our affections on it, as a midway place between ourselves and our surroundings. It is the warder of the fields and the monitor of the home. It is an outpost of the birds. It feels the first ray of morning sunshine. It proclaims every wind. It drips copiously in the rain.