28 THE GOLD MINE 



COW. What is the result ? The lilac was one great 

 bouquet of fragrant loveliness. We give yon a very 

 imperfect picture of it."^ And that cherry tree tries to 

 outvie itself both in a mantle of splendid bloom and 

 again in an immense crop of luscious fruit. The tree is 

 a massive flower of crimson and green as it is loaded 

 with its burden. 



The poet prophet speaks of ^^the labor of the olive.'' 

 That is a fine gem of poetry and opens before us a mar- 

 velous chapter on our relation to our trees. In winter 

 they are quietly sleeping — resting to get ready for a 

 hard summer's work. 



Spring comes and they begin their labor. If we 

 could look through the soil we would see busy toilers 

 there by the myriads. Tiny rootlets go out in every 

 direction as foragers bringing in supplies. The flowers 

 are hard at work throwing out those thread-like roots 

 all eager to gather in something. They work like noise- 

 less hives of bees, and as busy bringing in their supplies. 

 Silently the trees, shrubs and plants partake of the 

 nourishment. They work like a prayer in secret which 

 is rewarded openly. Look at these mantles of ermine 

 and gold that cover the bushes. 



See the emerald crowns upon these trees growing 

 fresher and greener. E^ote the immense amount of 

 quiet work in the gTOwing branches and in that thick 

 new circle which is embracing the trees. 



Look at these flowers on dress parade before you and 

 all around you day and night in the front yard and in 



*See page 63. 



