254 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



oxen find abundance of herbage whereon to lie down ; for,, 

 unlike that of the ash and beech, my shadow has no in- 

 jurious quality, and grass flourishes around my roots. 



" Take care of that young tree/' said Farmer Eobinson 

 to his labourer, who was diligently employed in clearing 

 away a rambling company of brambles, which had grown 

 unmolested during the time of the last tenant ; " the soil 

 is good, and in a very few years we shall have pasturage 

 for our bees, and plenty of maple wine." 



The farmer spoke true : before his young labourer had 

 attained middle age, the sapling had grown into a fine tree. 

 Its branches spread wide and high, and bees came from 

 all parts to gather their honey harvests among the flowers . 

 beneath its shade lambkins were wont in spring to sleep 

 beside their dams, and when the time of shearing came, 

 and the sheep were disburdened from their fleeces, you 

 might see them hastening to the sycamore-tree for shelter. 



A kind of rustic festival was held about the same time, 

 in honour of the maple wine. Hither came the farmer 



