5. THE HORSE-CHESTNUT TWIG. 



EORGE, do you know who I am ? " 



" Yes," answered George, " you are a horse- 

 chestnut twig. Where did you come from ? " 



" My mother is a large horse-chestnut tree," { 

 said the twig. " She is very proud of her children ^ 

 in the springtime. They look so pretty in their 

 green, white, and pink dresses." 



" I have been looking at your buds," said 

 George, " and I think you have been well cared for." 



" Yes, all the buds have thick scales. When the 

 weather gets warm enough, the bud pushes the 

 scales apart. Have you noticed that a varnish is 

 spread over all the scales ? " 



" Yes," answered George, "what is the use of this 

 varnish ? " 



" The varnish fills up all the cracks. It helps to 

 keep us warm, and keeps out the bugs and worms. 

 If you should pick off the varnish and scales of one 

 of the buds in the winter, it would die." 



" I have never thought of that," said George. 

 " Thank you, little twig, for telling me." 



