136 THE TREE BOOK 



over the coals and hid herself in fear and trem- 

 bling. An hour or more passed by and hearing 

 nothing she ventured out. Woksis sat with the 

 kettle between his knees, munching in silent en- 

 joyment. He was as near delighted as an In- 

 dian could well be and made haste to tell his 

 squaw's wonderful discovery to the other 

 braves. 



The Iroquois used to have a public festival 

 every spring to celebrate the tapping of the 

 maples. When the first crows appeared, every- 

 thing was got in readiness. Temporary wig- 

 wams were put up in the sugar grove, and all 

 the sugar-making utensils brought out. Then a 

 big dance was held and all sorts of charms 

 worked to bring on warm weather and start the 

 sap to flowing. 



If you have ever gone picnicking anywhere 

 along the river in the Mississippi Valley, you 

 must have met the silver maple. It is also 

 known as the soft maple and the white maple, 

 and is a favorite shade tree in its locality. 

 Should your home chance to be in a village in 

 this section, no doubt you have one of these 

 lovely trees in your door yard. It grows about 

 one hundred feet high and forms a wide-spread- 

 ing head with drooping branches, somewhat re- 

 sembling the elm. It is the first tree to bloom 



