28 



IN THE SHADE OF THE OAKS 



Trees are gracious things. They give their blessing to rich and poor 

 alike. Little children are attracted to them spontaneously. They love 

 to play their games beneath the grateful shade. They gain strength 

 and courage by climbing among the sturdy branches. 



Fortunate the school like this one in Napa County that has some of 

 the original forest monarchs on its grounds'; great trees round which 

 the children's school life revolves, and which linger in their minds as 

 pleasant memories in all their later years. 



And then, how fortunate again that it is so easy in California to raise 

 some giant trees when there are none naturally about the school. 



Plant some! Plant them now, not in the sweet bye and bye. Plant 

 a few now, so they'll be growing while you are thinking about the big 

 things for the future. Plant the ones you know will grow at that place. 

 Plant them so they can't be killed by stock or children. Plant them so 

 they'll be cared for through the summer. One or two great trees, grow- 

 ing luxuriantly are better for than a hundred neglected starvelings. 

 One big fine tree, with room for swings and teeter boards, with place for 

 enjoying luncheons in the shade just one will make the difference 

 between desolation and good cheer. And where is the spot in all Cali- 

 fornia that will confess its soil so sterile, its people so poor in spirit that 

 they can not grow even one tree? 



