CHAPTER V 

 SCHOOL DAYS 



School life for Luther Burbank began in the district 

 school near his home. In a small brick building, nestling 

 among pine trees, fifty or more boys and girls of varying 

 ages and grades were under the charge of one teacher. 

 With trees to climb, hills to coast, a pond near by for 

 swimming in summer and for skating in winter, the hours 

 of play were as full as the hours of study. 



His first teacher in this school was an older brother, 

 Herbert, who used to take the little fellow with him. Some- 

 times when the snow was too deep for little feet, after 

 the mother had put on his coat, cap, and mittens, tied a 

 warm scarf over his ears and kissed him good-bye, this 

 brother would draw him to school on his hand sled. He 

 was, at that time, too young for school life, and being a 

 sensitive child, shrank from the fun and laughter of the 

 older boys; but the sled ride was heartily enjoyed. 



It happened that the next teacher in this school was 

 his sister Jane; and, although she was very proud of Luther, 

 she found it very difficult to induce him to recite the les- 

 sons, which she knew he had mastered perfectly. 



Soon, however, he was at ease with his little school- 

 mates, and with them blew the dandelion heads to "know 



if mother wants you," held the shining buttercups under 



15 



