IX 



THE ASHES 



The ashes belong to the olive family. There 

 are about forty known species, but only twelve 

 of these are American bom. The ash strikes 

 its roots deep into the earth, and is often called 

 "the husbandman tree." It will not grow in 

 barren soil. Hence the foundation for the oft- 

 expressed wish of our forefathers : ' ' May your 

 foot fall by the roots of the ash," meaning may 

 you live in a fertile, well-watered land. 



The ash has lost in favor because of its short 

 foliage season, being late to leaf and among the 

 first trees to be denuded in the autumn. But 

 there are other trees equally as late in budding. 

 The butternut, walnut, sycamore, and thorny 

 locust hang out their blossoms at about the same 

 time ; many of the oaks are later ; so, too, are the 

 catalpa, the linden, and the chestnut. In Eng- 

 land, the saying is current that if the ash puts 

 forth its leaves before the oak, the following 

 summer will be wet; but if the oak is the first 

 out, then a dry season may be expected. 



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