LEAF PRINTS 297 



over these pieces of tape should be pasted very thoroughly a lining 

 of strong paper or thin cardboard. The outside of the portfolio 

 may be ornamented with a leaf print or other device pasted on, and 

 the edges of the cover and lining be bound with passe-partout paper. 

 Or the two covers may have the back fastenened together like the 

 back of a book, allowing an inch and a half for thickness. 



The teaching value of the leaf print portfolio lies in the accurate 

 labeling of each print. Through doing this the pupil soon comes 

 to know all the trees by their leaves. 



A leaf-print portfolio of common shrubs would naturally follow 

 the one on trees ; and when the study of botany is begun in first 

 year High, a portfolio of leaf prints of all sorts of plants will be of 

 great help. 



SIR FROST AND THE TREES 

 William Prindle Alexander 



Old Sir Frost with a wizard's might, 

 Rode boldly into the wood by night, 

 And blew with a breath, both long and keen, 

 A crystal film o'er the aisles of green. 

 Till the trees were robed in velveteen. 

 And stood bedecked in white. 



Then maple, oak and sorrel tree. 

 Were touched by a subtle alchemy. 

 That changed their modest green attire 

 To flaming garb of living fire. 

 While sumac vied with lowly briar 

 In painted revelry. 



Catalpa too, and ginkgo old 

 Donned merry masks of shining gold, 

 While elm and hornbeam in the wood 

 Joined the gay sylvan brotherhood, 

 For they were old, and understood 

 Sir Frost, and his manner cold. 



But one there was, the haughty ash. 

 Who 'mid the maple's motley flash, 

 In sombrous majesty was found. 

 And all in royal purple gowned. 

 Awaiting with an air profound 

 The Autumn's ruthless lash ! 



He came again, did Old Sir Frost 

 Till the trees had all their verdure lost. 

 But shining starlike 'ere its doom, 

 The brave witch-hazel sprang in bloom 

 To help dispel the Autumn's gloom 

 In the wild-wood holocaust ! 



