408 'NATURE STUDY. 



And press it o'er them tenderly, 

 As, round the sleeping infant's feet, 

 We softly fold the cradle sheet ; 

 So plant we the apple tree." 



BRYANT. 



" ' Take the fruit I give you,' says the bending tree; 

 4 Nothing but a burden is it all to me ! 

 Lighten ye my branches ; let them toss in air ! 

 Only leave me freedom next year's load to bear.' " 



LUCY LARCOM. 



How man plants the apple tree, and how he ploughs the 

 earth about it so that its roots can get water and air. 



How he fastens (grafts) branches to the trunks of other 

 apple trees, thus getting better fruit. How he trims or 

 prunes it so that the tree will not use up so much strength 

 and food in making branches and leaves that it cannot 

 make fruit, and so that the fruit can get the sunlight. 



How he tries to keep away or destroy the worms or 

 caterpillars. 



How he gathers the apples, not waiting for the wind to 

 shake them off, but picking them, and packing them in 

 barrels, being careful not to bruise them, when he wishes 

 to keep them all winter. 



Step II. What the Apple Tree Gives to Man. 



The beauty of the tree itself, when in blossom, one of 

 the most beautiful sights we can see. 



The shelter and shade under which boys and girls have 

 always loved to swing and play. 



The birds which sing, and nest, and raise their little 

 ones among its leafy branches. 



The fruit, the finest in the world, we think, sent from 

 our country to all parts of the world. 



The cider and vinegar made from its apples. 



