ARBOR DAY. 161 



I grow slowly, and attain a good size. My wood is valu- 

 able for lumber, posts, and sills. I may be distinguished 

 from all other ashes by my square branches of a year's 

 growth. 



Black Ash (Ella) : I thrive in swamps and along 

 streams, and become a large, useful tree. My wood is 

 used for furniture, barrel hoops, and baskets. When well 

 cared for, I become one of the finest ornamental trees. 

 For this purpose I have never been fully appreciated. 

 The ashes belong to the olive family. We have been 

 called musical, as in this quotation : 



" Ye ashes, wild resounding o'er the steep, 

 Delicious is your music to the soul." 



White Oak : Who will speak next? (A number rise.) 

 Birch has the floor. 



Birch (William) : 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 five sisters of 

 us Birches in Michigan. The alders are our cousins. 

 Probably you are best acquainted with the canoe birch, 

 whose white wood you 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 : 



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