ARBOR DAY. 163 



more than a century have turned aside in deference to this 

 monarch of the revolution. 



Red Elm (Claude) : I am well known for my durable 

 red wood and mucilaginous bark, and am often called 

 "Slippery Elm." My sister, Rock Elm, is a fine tree 

 with corky branches, and the wood is valuable for farm 

 implements. 



Hackberry (Otis): I am one of the poor cousins of 

 the elm, and am little known. I am sometimes called the 

 Nettle tree, and I am afraid Michigan people are not on 

 speaking terms with me. Allow me to tell you about 

 my German relative, the Luther Elm, near Worms. 

 It is said to have been planted as follows: A bigoted 

 old lady, thrusting a stick in the ground, declared her 

 resolution not to accept the new faith until that dry 

 stick became green. The fact that it did so proved 

 the interest taken by trees in the preservation of ortho- 

 doxy. 



Red Mulberry (Robert) : I am another obscure cousin 

 of the elms, and one not often seen in Michigan. The 

 birds are fond of my berries, and the wood is as valuable 

 as cedar for posts. Let me praise the elm. 



" Hail to the elm! the brave old elm! 



Oar last lone forest tree, 

 Whose limbs outstnnd the lightning's brand, 

 For a brave old elm is he! 



