158 ARBOR DAY. 



did it part with its old leaves until the new ones began 

 to sprout. In his rage and disappointment he scratched 

 the leaves so vehemently that they have in consequence 

 been jagged ever since. 



White Oak: These are certainly good words for the 

 oak family. We will next listen to some music from 

 the litte birds our very dear friends. (Song by school 

 children.) 



White Oak : We shall next hear from the maples, of 

 which there are six in our state. They are cousins to the 

 buckeye, bladdernut, and box-elder, all of which belong 

 to the maple family. 



Sugar Maple (Louise): I am a favorite ornamental 

 tree. Poets of all ages have sung about the oak. I am 

 no "Sweet Singer of Michigan," but I am possessed of 

 sweetness. I claim to have made more boys and girls 

 happy than any other tree. I have many changes in 

 dress wearing in spring the softest shade of every color ; 

 in the summer the purest emerald, and in the autumn the 

 most brilliant yellow. My wood is used for furniture, 

 floors, and for furnishing the interior of houses, and after 

 the houses are finished, few can warm them better than I. 



Red Maple (Mary) : I am often called Soft Maple, a 

 name also applied to one of my sisters. I beautify the 

 country in spring with early red blossoms, and in 

 autumn my leaves are streaked with scarlet. 



