QUERCUS 7 



thing else called starch, which, with the earth- 

 food brought up from the soil, forms their 

 staple article of diet. 



Quercus followed the good old method, and 

 when he had nicely compounded the mixture 

 in his leaves, the sap carried it to every grow- 

 ing part, somewhat as hod-carriers take the 

 brick and mortar to the proper parts of a 

 growing building, and what was not needed 

 at once was stored away for future use. So 

 Quercus grew taller and stronger every day, 

 summer after summer, for the chemists work 

 only when they have light and warmth, and 

 night and winter are times of idleness. When 

 autumn came, his leaves ceased to be thirsty, 

 and the cell ducts, like a soda fountain, 

 awaited spring business. Then would come a 

 brisk demand on the roots for water, and the 

 new leaves and green bark would get busy. 



Other young trees were eating and drink- 

 ing and stretching and growing. It is said that 

 one-half the world does not know how the other 

 half lives, and little the proud, uplifted 

 branches knew of the struggle going on under- 



