90 DA VE r ' 5 PR IMER 



" What's the matter with that tree? " 



Well, Maude, there was nothing particularly wrong 

 with it until the "tree butcher" assailed it. It was 

 one of those crotchy "soft maples," that I have 

 been telling you about. People desire something that 

 will "grow fast" a very natural wish when one is 

 building a new home, and there is no shade near 

 therefore the " nurseries " grew a large quantity of this 

 kind, and the " agents " preached loud and long concern- 

 ing their special merits of rapid growth. 



They certainly are a pretty tree when young, and 

 their rapid-growing habits made them special favorites ; 

 but, alas! when they become large their branches split 

 down with the most ordinary wind storm ; then the 

 tree butcher volunteers to cut their heads off! if you 

 will pay him for the job. Think of it, children, pay a 

 man for killing your friends ! Thousands of trees have 

 been ruined in Akron and in Cleveland, O., and thou- 

 sands also in Sharon and Harrisburg, Pa. (I am speak- 

 ing of what I have witnessed.) The bull dog has short 

 ears, and the beagle hound long ears ; shall we cut off 

 the long ears of the beagle because the wind acts upon 

 them? The "Soft Maples" have long, slim branches, 

 and they are handsome when planted in clumps, or 

 among other trees where they get protection, but they 

 should not be used for shade trees on the streets. 



The practice of "trimming" shade trees should 

 be abandoned. There would be no need of it if the 



