104 
THE GUIDE TO NATURE 
and others. A whorl of branches grows 
around the trunk every year, while the 
trunk itself adds a longer or shorter 
extension with a terminal bud sur- 
rounded by other buds, the forerunners 
of next year’s branches. Thus the ap- 
proximate age of a white pine may be 
determined by counting the whorls of 
branches, adding five years for the 
growth near the ground where all 
evidence of limbs has been hidden by 
the growth of the trunk. 
Thus it is when all is well. Accidents, 
however, occur with trees as with 
people. Occasionally the terminal bnd 
is broken off or insects destroy it. The 
tree must then do something out of the 
ordinary or lose its distinctive charac- 
ter and appearance. Usually one of the 
branches in the uppermost whorl, like 
a big brother taking the place of the 
lost head of the family, grows gradu- 
ally into a vertical position and so con- 
tinues the trunk with a curve where the 
branch became the head. 
Occasionally two or more branches 
make the same start in their vertical 
growth. Then one either gets ahead 
and the others eventually die, or both 
or all continue to grow and the tree 
develops two or three trunks from the 
point at which the terminal bud was 
destroyed. Until a few years ago there 
stood in the suburbs of Eranklin in this 
State a tall, two parted white pine that 
was the first thing seen by travellers 
approaching the city, as it stood on the 
top of a high hill. 
The three parted pine shown in the 
accompanying picture stands on the 
shore of Lake Massabesic in the out- 
skirts of Manchester and is a distinct 
addition to the beauty of the lake shore 
as it stands in a row with five large 
pitch pines (P. rigida) that fortu- 
nately grow on city land at the water’s 
edge and so will probably not be cut 
down for lumber in the near future. 
The three trunks of the white pine start 
about ten feet from the ground, and 
many years’ growth have brought their 
sides close together with just room for 
small people to crowd in between when 
a photographer is at hand to take a 
picture. 
Leaves are all a-flutter 
With the whispering breeze. 
What, think you, it tells them, 
Sleeping on the trees? 
— Emma Peirce. 
DEATH OF WILLIAM H. HUSE. 
A marked copy of the Manchester, 
New Hampshire, “Ledger” brings to 
us the surprisingly sad news of the 
sudden death of Mr. Huse on Decem- 
ber 2. He had recently sent us the 
preceding article, “A Trifurcated 
Pine,” and several others which we 
have in type. There have also been 
articles by him in previous numbers. 
The newspaper tells us that he was 
the principal of a local school and 
prominent in church work. He was 
nearly sixty years of age. 
Personally and on behalf of the mem- 
bers and friends of The Agassiz Asso- 
ciation we extend sympathy to the 
members of his family. 
On the Old Mohawk Trail. 
BY CHARLES NEVERS HOLMES, NEWTON, 
MASSACHUSETTS. 
Blazed by the war-lust of untutored minds 
Through pathless forests, over vales and 
hills, 
The Mohawk Trail 'mid sun and shadow 
winds 
Past deep ravines and rock-environed rills. 
From crowded streets and surging surf afar, 
It winds through pleasant Greenfield to 
the west, 
O’er Shelburne’s hills and higher Florida, 
Across the tunnelled Hoosac’s slopes and 
crest. 
Like waves around that crest the mountains 
rise, 
Grand monuments rough hewed by 
change and time, 
Stupendous, steel, a gulf-like valley lies, 
And Greyrock looms supremely and 
sublime. 
Where painted savage ravaged hill and vale 
The white man’s car ascends the Mohawk 
Trail. 
A Late Cuckoo. 
Mr. William H. Huse of Manchester, 
New Hampshire, writes as follows: 
“It may interest you to know that 
on October 20 a yellow-billed cuckoo 
was brought to me by children who 
had found it unable to fly. It was little 
more than skin and bones, and died 
that night. I suspect that it found little 
to eat so late in the season in this lati- 
tude, and died of starvation. This is 
the latest date that I have for the yel- 
low cuckoo in Manchester.” 
