14 
FINDING NATURE'S TREASURES 
The children followed the loaded ants back along the 
path until they came to a big pile of earth. Here the 
ants were going through a hole and carrying the green 
pieces. 
“What do they do with the leaves on the inside?” 
asked Buddy. 
“They make gardens with them,” said Uncle Jack. 
“Real gardens, Uncle Jack?” asked Bess. 
“Yes, they dig out a big room in the ground, big for 
such little creatures to make. Sometimes it is two feet 
long, and four or five inches from top to bottom. The 
ants chew the leaves until they are soft and wet. Then 
they cover the floor with these soft wet leaves and plant 
their gardens in them.” 
“Do you mean they plant beets, carrots, lettuce, and 
cabbage?” asked Mary lee. 
“No, no,” laughed Uncle Jack, “they plant fungus.” 
