The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-03-26
USEFUL TREES.


What the Children Thought, and Their
Reasons for Thinking So.
The shower drove the children in
doors. 1t did not matter much, for dark
ness had settled down, and mamma was
lighting the lamps.
"What shall we play now?'' bolster
ously asked Fred.
''Stage-coach, suggested Harry.
'"That is too noisy" thoughtfully OBJ
jected Fanny. at will give mamma the
headache"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS." proposed little
Susie, in squeaking voice.
81 think we have romped enough
decided George, the most demure of the
group "Some other sort Of enjoyment
is in order now"
ga sensible remark" commented
! mamma.
She placed writing materials upon the
table, sat down with her sewing, and
pleasantly asked:
"What is the most useful tree in the
world? Each of you take sheet of pa
per, and name the tree, giving your
reasons for thinking so. 1t will be an
exercise in composition, and will test
your general information"
81 think it is capital idea" said
George, as he caught up one of the PEN
ellis.
Mother, we ought to be limited as to
time" suggested Fanny.
"Yes, did not think of that" replied
mamma. ut wants quarter of eight.
When the clock strikes eight, the COM
positions must be folded up and handed
to me-"
''But look at Georgew cried Harry.
"He has got the start of u.s."
''He should not be blamed for that"
replied mamma. "Perhaps he will be
through five minutes sooner"
A very much absorbed party they
were for the stipulated fifteen minutes.
They were so quiet that the clock seem
ed to tick unusually loud. The cat got up
from her place ON the rug, and walked
around the table, and crooked her back,
IS if puzzled over the prolonged still
ness.
When the clock struck eight, the
children folded up their compositions
and handed them to mamma.
Mamma adjusted her glasses, picked
up one of the compositions, and read
aloud as follows:
what would we do without the
caoutchouc or India-rubber tree? From
the Juice number of useful articles are
made, such as gum boots, gum coats
gum blankets, tents, dolls baby rattles
nursing-bottles, umbrellas, car-springs
ETC."
"The rubber-tree," commented nam
ma, 'abounds most on the rich lush fats
of the Amazon. The principal marke
is Para, whittier the rubber is carried
on the backs of Indian porters or mules
Brazil alone markets about fifteen mil
lion dollars worth of rubber ever.
year"
The next composition was the follow
ing:
Il suggest the bread-fruit tree as tn
most useful tree. At least l SHOULD
think so IL l lived in the tropics. 1t
largely found in the islands of the Pa
cific. The fruit, when dead ripe, is a
sweet and nourishing as bread. TIL
pulp is made into delicious pudding b.
adding cocoanut milk. Tho South Sc
islanders make cloth out of the bark
and it is as handsome as cloth spuI
from cotton or wool, but will not last .
. long"
ut is a beautiful tree, for have see
Il growing in the botanical gardens,
mamma said. "a lazy house-keepe
, might consider herself happy wit
bread and cow-trees growing /
her garden" EN.
THE baker and the milkman woul
be likely to protest." remarked Harry
II think the cocoanut palm is tn
most useful tree read mamma, as sh
. opened the third composition. ut ful
nishes food and milk. Sugar can b
made from the sap and cooking utensl
from the nuts. Tue fler which enve