53 



9. Many of our houses are made of trees. 



10. Some people have nothing to eat but the fruit from trees. 



11. We know we could not live without trees. 



12. Trees keep the air pure, and we must have pure air to breathe. 



13. After a rainstorm, the millions of leaves and stems and roots 

 hold the tiny drops a long time. 



14. This prevents drouths and keeps the earth moist so plants can 

 grow. 



15. It rains more in places where trees grow. 



16. If it did not rain there would be no springs; there would be no 

 brooks, lakes, and rivers. 



17. Our earth would be like a hot, dry desert without trees. 



18. \Ve will cut down only the trees we need for use. 



19. Trees are among the best friends we have. 



20. (All) We will love the beautiful trees. 



Ed. Journal. 



THREE TREES 



The pine tree grew in the wood, 

 . Tapering, straight, and high ; 



Stately and proud it stood, 



Black green against the sky. 

 Crowded so close, it sought the blue, 

 And ever upward it reached and grew. 



The oak tree stood in the field, 



Beneath it dozed the herds ; 



It gave to the mower a shield, 



It gave a home to the birds. 

 Sturdy and broad, it guarded the farms, 

 With its brawny trunk and knotted arms. 



The apple tree grew by the wall, 



Ugly and crooked and black; 



But it knew the gardener's call, 



And the children rode on its back. 

 It scattered its blossoms upon the air, 

 It covered the ground with fruitage fair. 



" Now, hey," said the pine, " for the wood ! 



Come live with the forest band. 



Our comrades will do you good, 



And tall and straight you will stand." 

 And he swung his boughs to a witching sound, 

 And flung his cones like coins around. 



" O ho !" laughed the sturdy oak ; 



" The life of the field for me. 



1 weather the lightning stroke ; 



My branches are broad and free, 

 Grow straight and slim in the wood if you will, 

 Give me the sun and the wind-swept hill." 



