146 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Lightly pass, lightly pass, 

 Thus the nodding meadow grass, 

 Woodlands bright, woodlands bright, 

 Make from winters night — 

 Where the silver brooklet flows — 

 Rippling softly as it goes, 

 Will we rest, will we rest. 

 In green mossj'^ nest. 



Chairman. We will next hear from the Ashes. 

 White Ash. I am a tall tree and have often been complimented 

 for my usefulness. I have been told that I have a graceful top and 

 beautiful pinnate leaves. My wood is heavy, hard, strong, coarse- 

 grained, compact, and of a brown color, and is much used for 

 cabinet ware, farm implements, and house finishing. I thrive in rich, 

 moist soil. 



Broivn Ash. I thrive in swamps and along streams, and become 

 a large tree. My wood is used for furniture, barrel-hoops, and 

 baskets. When well cared for, I become one of the finest ornamen- 

 tal trees. For this purpose 1 have never been fully appreciated. 

 The Ashes belong to the Olive family. We have been called musi- 

 cal, as in this quotation : 



"Ye Ashes wild resounding o'er the steep, 

 Delicious is your music to the soul." 

 Chairman. Who will speak next? (a number rise.) Birch has the floor. 

 White Birch. I am a useful factor in the cause of education, though 

 not now so commonly found in the school room as in former years. 

 There are several of us Birches in Maine. The Alders are our 

 cousins. Probably you are best acquainted with the Canoe Birch, 

 whose white wood 3'ou see in spools and shoe pegs. It gives up 

 its beautiful white dress without any injury to itself. Longfellow 

 .has made us a celebrated family in Hiawatha. He says of us : 

 "Give me of your bark, O, Birch tree! 

 Of your yellow bark, O, Birch tree ! 

 Growing by the rushing river, 

 Tall and stately in the valley ! 

 I a light canoe will build me, 

 That shall float upon the river, 

 Like a yellow leaf in autumn. 

 Like a yellow water-lily ! 

 Lay aside your cloak O, Birch tree. 

 Lay aside your white skin wrapper. 

 For the summer time is coming, 

 And the sun is warm in heaven. 

 And you need no white skin wrapper." 



