AND HIS PLANT SCHOOL 17 



the woodland pasture, and where the finest hickory nuts 

 and chestnuts might be sought among the rustling leaves. 

 Thus, as he turned the leaves of the great book of Nature, 

 over and over, the timid boy developed into a leader; 

 and in this close intimacy and harmony with out-of-door 

 life learned to read much of the finer and more delicate 

 tracing of the hand of God. 



"Knowledge never learned of schools, 

 Of the wild bee's morning chase, 

 Of the wild-flower's time and place, 



Where the whitest lilies blow, 

 Where the freshest berries grow, 

 Where the groundnut trails its vine, 

 Where the woodgrape's clusters shine; 



For, eschewing books and tasks, 

 Nature answers all he asks; 

 Hand in hand with her he walks, 

 Face to face with her he talks, 

 Part and parcel of her joy, 

 Blessings on thee, barefoot boy!" 



WHITTIER. 



At home he had the cows to drive to pasture, the chick- 

 ens to feed, wood to bring, weeds to pull, and a thousand 

 tasks so well known to a boy on a farm; for a wise father 



