Tree Study 777 



not merely one pair of leaves that comes from this bud, but many, each 

 pair being set on a twig opposite and at right angles to the next pair on 

 either side. Even as many as five pairs of these splendid compound 

 leaves come from this one prolific bud. As they push out, the green stem 

 of the new wood grows, thus spacing the pairs properly for the making 

 of beautiful foliage. 



LESSON CXCVIII 



ASH TREES 



Leading thought The ashes are our most valuable timber trees; the 

 white ash is one of the most beautiful and useful of them all. It does not 

 make forests, but it grows in them, and its wood is of great value for many 

 things. 



Method The pupils should all see the tree where it grows. The ques- 

 tions should be given to them for their field note-books. The lesson should 

 begin in the fall and be continued in the spring. 



Observations r. What is there about the bark of the ash tree which 

 distinguishes it from other trees ? Where does the white ash grow ? What 

 is the height and thickness of the ash tree you are studying: 1 



2 . The ash leaf is a compound leaf ; of how many leaflets is it composed ? 

 What is the texture and shape of the leaflets? Describe the veins. Do 

 the leaflets have petioles (petiolules) ? Are the edges of the leaflets toothed ? 

 Which of the leaflets is largest"" Which smallest? Is the petiole swollen 

 at the base? 1 How are the leaves arranged on the twigs? 1 How does this 

 distinguish the ashes from all other of our trees having compound leaves? 

 How do the hickories have their leaves arranged? What color is the ash 

 foliage in autumn"' 



3 . Describe the seeds of the ash and the way they are arranged on their 

 stems. Where are they placed on the tree? How long do they cling?' 

 How does the snow help to scatter them? 



4. When does the white ash blossom? Are the pistillate and staminate 

 flowers together or separate? Find and describe them. 



5. What are our uses for ash timber? For what are the saplings used? 

 How did the Indians use the white ash ? Write a theme on all the interest- 

 ing things you can find about the ash trees. 



6. How many species of the ash trees do you know? 



Supplementary reading Trees in Prose and Poetry, pp. 60-71. 



"/ care not hon' men trace their ancestry, 

 To ape or Adam; let them please their whim: 

 But I in June am midway to believe 

 A tree among my far progenitors, 

 Such sympathy is mine with all the race, 

 Such mutual recognition vaguely sweet 

 There is between us. Surely there are tim<'\ 

 When they consent to own me of their kin, 

 And condescend to me and call me cousin, 

 Murmuring faint lullabies of eldest time, 

 Forgotten, and yet dumbly felt with thrills 

 Moving the lips, though fruitless of the words." 



From "Under the Willows," LOWELL. 



