ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 2OQ 



Written for the "ARBOR DAY MANUAL." 



THE BIRCH TREE. 



[Air " ACLD LANG SYNE."] 



r \ CHOUGH oak. and elm. and maple tree, Then plant the birch, the silvery birch, 



Call forth our love and care, Near to the school-house door, 



With tender buds, and opening leaves, For teachers used its pliant limbs, 



They woo the soft May air, Full oft in days of yore. 



Let not the birch tree be forgot, And though 'tis used for rods no more, 



For well I bear in mind Twill please the children kind, 



Its spicy buds and fragrant bark, Its spicy buds and fragrant bark, 

 I searched the woods to find. They search the woods to find. 



Mrs. ADDIE V. MCMULLEX. 

 South Sodus, X. V. 



THE SEED. 



THE farmer planted a seed, 

 A little dry. black seed; 

 And off he went to other work, 

 For the farmer never was known to shirk, 

 And cared for what had need. 



The night came with its dew, 



The cool and silent dew; 

 The dawn came, and the day, 

 And the farmer worked away, 



At labors not a few. 



***** 

 Home from his work one day. 



One glowing summer day. 

 His children showed him a perfect flower; 

 It had burst in bloom that very hour; 

 I cannot sa. 



But I know if the smallest seed 



In the soil of love be cast, 

 Both day and night will do their part: 

 And the sower who works with a patient heart, 



Will find the flower at last. 



Now blossom all the trees, and all the fields 

 And all the woods their pomp of foliage wear, 

 And nature's fairest robe adorns the blooming year. 



14 BEATTIE. 



