SOME COMMON TREES.
We could not do without the trees. Not only are they very useful, but they help make the world a beautiful home for us.
Trees furnish us food in the shape of fruit and nuts. Their trunks are made into lumber for our houses. Paper is made from certain kinds, and the bark of others is of great value for tanning leather and in the manufacture of cork.
Where the trees are thick they form a forest. Many animals make their homes in the forests, and birds build their nests there.
How we enjoy the shade of the trees on a warm day! The cattle and sheep are also found there contentedly chewing their cuds.
There are many reasons why we should pre serve the trees. They protect the ground from the hot sun. The leaves and moss which are found under them hold the rain-water so that it does not run away so quickly. Where there is no vegetation the water runs rapidly away, cutting little gullies and carrying off the soil.
Trees which keep their leaves through the year are said to be evergreen. The pines and firs and cedars, as well as the live oak, are evergreen. How fragrant a forest of such trees is! The pine loves the sandy soil and the rocky mountain slopes. From the sap of the pine we get resin and turpentine.
Most trees drop their leaves in the fall. At the base of the leaf stem there is a little bud. It is well wrapped up and protected from the wet and cold.
The warm sun of spring makes the buds begin to swell. Soon they burst their wrappings and the bare trees are covered with green again.
Trees are suited to different places. This came about just as you remember I told you it did with the flowers. The willow loves the wet places. It does not care much where it grows if only it has plenty of water. Wherever you find willows grow ing you may be sure there is water.
In the northern woods there are the birch and maple. The bark of the birch is used by the Indians for making canoes. The maple is an old friend. You have heard how maple sugar is made from its sap.
How many have seen a cottonwood tree? We find this tree in dry countries. It grows close to the streams. It is called cottonwood because of the downy tuft upon the seed.
Do you have any oak trees near your home? There are many kinds of oaks. One is always green and so we call it live oak.
The fruit trees of our gardens were once wild. Did you ever find apple trees 'in the woods? Their apples are small and sour. Apple trees have been grown in gardens for many years. This has made the apples larger and more pleasant to the taste. ' The nut trees are a great attraction in the fall. Children who have never been nutting do not know what fun it is.