2 Our Field and F.orest Trees 



fortunes. The poplar seeds also by this time are 

 ripe and ready. The streets of many western 

 towns are shaded by the " cottonwood " or " neck- 

 lace " poplar. Its glossy leaves shed soot and 

 dust, and so are healthy and clean when the foliage 

 of elms and maples is choked and dying. When 

 the chains of pods which drip from the poplars 

 give their treasures to the winds of May, whjte 

 piles of downy seeds drift, as snowflakes drift 

 before November gales, into sheltered corners. 

 For these seeds are, like those of the willows, very 

 numerous, very small, and fitted for flight with 

 tufts of silky hairs. 



All these trees are inhabitants of swamps and 

 river margins. Though they can live and thrive 

 on city streets, they cling to old habits and send 

 their seeds out into the world at a season when 

 streams are low. When the willow, elm, and 

 maple offspring wander forth on home-seeking 

 excursions, the beaches are bare, and ready to 

 receive them. 



But most seeds ripen in autumn, and remain 

 buried beneath the leaves and grass till winter is 

 over and gone. 



The most Important summer work of the trees 

 is the forming and maturing of their seeds, and 

 their chief autumn work is packing their young 

 families off into the great world. 



The sower, going forth to sow, flings his seed 

 broadcast in order that the seedlings may not 



