3^0 State Horticultural Society. 



THE SHADE. 



This tree, which stands with arms outspread. 



With leaves like fingers tremulous ; 



To seize all coolness overhead 



And softly waft it down to us, 

 This tree— it means a hundred years 



Of rain and sun, of drought and dew. 

 Before this shade which rests and cheers 



Into today's perfection grew. 



Some kindly one— forgotten now— 



May thoughtfully have placed the seed, 

 Foreseeing that each reaching bough 



Would satisfy a worn one's need. 

 Whoe'er he was, that unknown one. 



Who set the seed, or sproutlet slim, 

 He knew not that he had begun 



What stands a monument to him. 



The trees— the kindly trees— that blaze 



With spring's green flame or autumn's blush, 

 The sentry fires that line the ways 



Into the woodland's peaceful hush- 

 Through all the years they slowly grow 



Until they shield the flowered sod ; 

 The trees— the kindly trees— they show 



The patient thoroughness of God. 



This tree, which stands with arms outspread, 



Seems to pronounce while standing thus, 

 A blessing, and to gently shed 



A benediction over us. 

 The sunlight shuttles through the leaves 



AVith threads of gold that flash and play, 

 Across the warp of shade it weave.s 



The mingled fabric of the day. 



— W. D. Xesbit, in American Truck Farmer. 



FRO'AI HOME ACRES. 



A sense of pureness of the air. 

 Of wholesome life in growing thing. 

 Trembling of blossom, blade and wing. 

 Perfume and beauty everywhere,— 

 Skies, trees, the grass, the very loam, 

 I love them all : this is our home. 



Million on million years have sped. 

 To frame green fields and bowering hills; 

 The mortal for a moment tills 



His span of earth, then he is dead; 



This knows he well, yet doth he hold 



His paradise like miser's gold. 



