Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-03-20
US EFUL TREES.
What the CEillrem Thought, and Their
Reasons for Thinking SO.
Good Cheer.

What the Children Thought, and Theii
Reasons for Thinking So
The shower drove the children in
doors. / did not matter much, for dark
ness had settled down, ard mamma was
lighting the lamps.
"What shall we play Tow?' bolster
ously asked Fred.
"Sthgc-coach." suggested Harry.
THAT is too noisy" thoughtfully OBJ
iectod Fanny. 1t win give mamma the
headache.
observation-disclosures" proposed little
Susie. in a Suueaking voice.
Il think We have romped enough.
decided George, the most demure of the
group. Some other sort Of enjoyment
is in order now
"A 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 81 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."
II think it is a capital idea" said
George, as he caught up}onn of the pen
ellis.
Mother, we ought to, he limited as to
time" suggested Fanny.
''Ies, / did not think Of that replied
mamma 1T wants Il quarter of eight.
When the clock strikes eight, the com
POSITIONS must be folded up. and handed
to me-
But look at George!,' cried Harry.
ole has got the start of us
''EIe should not be blamed for that"
replied mamma perhaps he will be
through five minutes sooner
\ very much absorbed party they
We're 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,
as il puzzled over she 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:
caoutchouc or Intia-rubber tree? From
the iuice number of useful articles are
made such. as gam boots gum coats,
gum blankets. ,tunts. dolls. baby rattles,
nursing bottles, umbrellas. car-springs,
ETC.
The rubber-tree." commented MAN.
ma. ''abounds most on the rich lush flats
of the Amazon The principal market
I, Ia ~ IN 1
on the .backs,o of Indian po7ters or mules.
Brazil alone markets abqat fifteen mil
liOnl dollars worth OF rubber every
year"
The next composition. was the follow
ing:
Il suggest the bread-irftit tree as the
most useful tree. NJ least l should
think SO If lived in the tropics. 1t is
largely found in the islands of the Pa
cific. The fruit. when dead ripe, is as
sweet and nourishiRg as bread The
pulp rs made into a delicious pudding by
adding eoeoanut milk The South Sea
Islanders make closh out of the bark.
and it is as handsome as cloth spun
from cotton or Wool, but will not last as
long
/ lit is beautiful tree. for | have seen
it growing in the botanical gardens"
mamma said. ~-A lazy house-kcepcr
might consider herself happy with
bread-trees and eow-trees growing in
her garden
The baker and the milkman would
BE- likely to protest." remarked Harry.
Il think tAe cocoanut palm is the
most useful tree read mamma, as she
opened the tAird composition. 1T fur
nishes food and milk. Sugar can be
made from the sap and cooking utensils
from the aats. The fber which envel-
opes the nuts can be made into cordage,
and is most excellent for calking ships.
as it sweEls when it imbibes the water
and doss not rot, like tow. Oil for LAMPS
is expressed from the fruit, and umbre.t-
las are made out of the dry, plated
leaves
'>Fhe palms are all valuable" COM
meated mamma. THE date-palm fur
nishes dates sugar, starch, baskets,
! mats etc. The coquita-palm furnishes
( the Chilians with palm-honey, whio,,
equals tho best molasses. From the
| piassata- palm OF Brazil is procured veg
etahle ivory, and the coarse brocms used
in al parts of the world for cleaning
streets"