NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 79 



LANGUAGE LESSON 



What kind of tree is an apple tree ? 



What are the scars on the branches ? 



What kind of buds do apple trees form ? 



When do the blossoms form ? 



When does the fruit form ? Tell something about it. 



The Planting of the Apple Tree 



Come, let us plant the apple tree. 

 Cleave the tough greensward with the spade; 

 Wide let its hollow bed be made; 

 There gently lay the roots, and there 

 Sift the dark mold with kindly care, 



And press it o'er them tenderly, 

 As, round the sleeping infant's feet, 

 We softly fold the cradle sheet ; 



So plant we the apple tree. 



What plant we in this apple tree ? 

 Buds, which the breath of summer days 

 Shall lengthen into leafy sprays ; 

 Boughs where the thrush, with crimson breast, 

 Shall haunt and sing and hide her nest ; 



We plant, upon the sunny lea, 

 A shadow for the noontide hour, 

 A shelter from the summer shower, 



When we plant the apple tree. 



What plant we in this apple tree ? 

 Sweets for a hundred flowery springs 

 To load the May wind's restless wings, 



