74 



THE GARDEN OF EARTH 



only the " raw material," not yet fashioned into what 

 it is meant to be. It has to go higher still before it 

 can be altered and moulded and shaped. 



And here we come to one of the chief uses of the stem 

 or trunk — the " body " of the tree. Just as your body 

 is used for the carrying of blood to every part of it and 

 of its limbs, so the trunk of a tree is used for the carrying 

 of raw sap to every part of it and of its branches ; and, 

 later, for the carrying also of the 

 manufactured and finished sap to 

 wherever it is needed. 



While winter cold reigns over 

 the land the life of a tree is at a 

 low ebb, and all outer active 

 growth has come to a standstill. 

 But this does not mean complete 

 idleness. Within the trunk, and 

 within the branches, preparation 

 for spring has not only begun, 

 but may be far advanced. If 

 leaf-buds and flower-buds are not 

 actually formed — and each kind of plant does differently 

 in such respects — they are slowly taking shape, and they 

 will be ready in time for warm spring sunshine. For 

 the present all is quiet, and growth is sluggish, and the 

 roots have not nearly so much to do as they will have 

 by and by. 



It is very much the same with a tree in winter as 

 with ourselves when we are asleep at night. All day 

 long while we are on the go, actively employed, we 

 need plenty of food and water ; but in bed we can sleep 

 for many hours wanting neither. Yet all night long 



TRANSVERSE SECTION 

 OF AN OAK BRANCH, SIX 



YEARS OLD : m, pith or 

 medulla; c, e, bark; r, 

 wood ; h, medullary rays. 



