54 -- 



And the apple tree murmured low: 

 " I am neither straight nor strong; 

 Crooked my back doth grow 

 With bearing my burdens long." 

 And it dropped its fruit, as it dropped its tear. 

 And reddened the ground with fragrant cheer. 



And the Lord of the Harvest heard, 

 And he said : " I have use for all ; 

 For the bough that shelters a bird, 

 For the beam that pillars a hall ; 

 And grow they tall, or grow they ill, 

 They grow but to wait their master's will." 



So a ship of oak was sent, 



Far over the ocean blue ; 



And the pine was the mast that bent, 



As over the waves it flew ; 

 And the ruddy fruit of the apple tree 

 Was borne to a starving isle of the sea. 



A pretty corner in a schoolroom, showing how a plant may be used 

 to an advantage. The bit of green adds beauty to the room and affords 

 rest for tired little eyes. 



