246 ARBOR DAY 



PLANTS AND FLOWERS 



BY JOHN RUSKIN 



WONDERFUL, in universal adaptation to man's 

 need, God's daily preparation of the earth with 

 beautiful means of life. First, a carpet, to make it 

 soft for him; then a colored fantasy of embroidery 

 thereon; then, tall spreading of foliage, to shade 

 him from sun-heat, and shade also the fallen rain, 

 that it may not dry quickly into the clouds, but stay 

 to nourish the springs among the moss. Stout wood 

 to bear this leafage; easily to be cut, yet tough and 

 light, to make houses for him, or instruments; useless 

 it had been if harder; useless if less fibrous; useless 

 if less elastic. 



Winter comes, and the shade of leafage falls 

 away, to let the sun warm the earth; the 

 strong boughs remain, breaking the strength of 

 winter winds. The seeds, which are to prolong 

 the race, innumerable according to the need, are 

 made beautiful and palatable, varied into in- 

 finitude of appeal to the fancy of man, or pro- 

 vision for his service; cold juice or flowing 

 spice, or balm, or incense, softening oil, pre- 

 serving resin, medicine of febrifuge or lulling 

 charm; and all these presented in forms of endless 

 change. 



