2 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



At some far distant epoch, sturdy exploring trees 

 established the settlement, struggled against ad- 

 verse conditions, baffled with unruly friends, failed 

 perhaps, were almost wiped out, rallied again, and 

 finally, little by little, like a group of well-organised 

 business men, pushed the colony to self-sustaining 

 proportions. 



Perhaps the original site was on the edge of a 

 plain or prairie, grass-covered and dreary. Some 

 far-roaming tree-seeds, borne high by a generous 

 wind, spied this desirable place and were happy. 



"A new and marvellous country!" they cry. 

 "Here we will have peace and little competition, and 

 we can build a pleasant home. Let us down, good 

 wind; we will fly no farther." 



So the wind puts on his brakes, and all the little 

 tree-seeds tumble to the ground, alighting in various 

 good positions, one seeking this spot, another seek- 

 ing that, and every one looking for the very place 

 he likes best. Some places are a little hard, but 

 when the baby seeds have sprouted and pushed their 

 tiny roots into the soil, they find that the earth 

 tastes good and is moist and rich. How delightful 

 to drink up water from the hospitable ground ! And 

 foodl Everything seems so easy and wonderful; 

 the earth, the sunshine, and the air supply all. 

 Gaily and quickly tiny shoots begin to grow, and 



