THE BIRCH 189 



"Most beautiful of forest trees, 

 The Lady of the Wood." 



But the canoe birch is the best known and 

 most useful of all the birches. 



It will give you a tent, or a roof, or a boat. 



When it rains you may use its bark for an 

 umbrella. 



It will give you plates, spoons, letter paper, 

 candles, and wood. 



The nicest cup in the world is a birch bark 

 cup. 



It just fits the mouth. 



It makes the water taste sweet. 



I am thirsty now as I think, of it. 



And the thought of its cousin makes me 

 hungry. 



Do you know the black birch ? 



It may not be as beautiful as the white birch. 



But it tastes so good. 



Only young wintergreen leaves are more 

 spicy. 



Only the wild strawberry is more delicious. 



