GETTING AC^AINTED WITH THE TREES 



despair of botanists. Then, too, it comes of 

 an ancient line ; for impressions of leaves in the 

 cretaceous rocks show that it is one of the 

 oldest of plants." 



Common it is, and therefore overlooked ; 

 but the reader may well resolve to watch the 

 w^illow in spring and summer, with its bloom 

 and fruit ; to follow its refreshing color through 

 winter's chill; to observe its cheer and dignity; 

 and to see the wind toss its slender wands and 

 turn its graceful leaves. 



The poplars and the willows are properly 

 considered together, for together they form the 

 botanical world family of the Salicaceae. Many 

 characteristics of bloom and growth, of sap and 

 bark, unite the two, and surely both, though 

 alike common to the world, are common and 

 familiar trees to the dwellers in North America. 



One of my earliest tree remembrances has 

 to do with a spreading light -leaved growth 

 passed under every day on the way to school — 

 and, like most school -boys, I was not unwill- 

 ing to stop for anything of interest that might 

 put ofif arrival at the seat of learning. This 

 great tree had large and peculiar winter . buds, 



ii8 



