Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-04-17
USEFUL TREES.
What the Children Thought, and Their
Reasons for Thinking So.


Reasons for Thinking So.
The shower drove the children in
doors. II did not matter much, for dark
ness had settled down, and mamma was
lighting the lamps.
What shall we play nowP' bolster
ously asked Fred.
"Stage-coach," suggested Harry.
THAT too noisy" thoughtfully OBJ
jected Fanny. at will give mamma the
headache"
"Hot-butter- Beans proposed little
Susie, in a squeaking voice.
~ 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 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 one of the PEN
ellis.
Mother, we ought to be limited as to
time" suggested Fanny.
Eyes, did not think of that" replied
mamma. ut wants a quarter of eight.
When the clock strikes eight the com
positions must be folded up and handed
to me-
But look at Georgem cried Harry.
"He has got the start OF us"
''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,
as 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
caoutchous or India-rubber tree? From
the juice a number of useful articles are
made, such as gum boots, gum coats,
gum blankets, tents, dolls. baby rattles, |
nursing-bottles, umbrellas, car-springs,
etc"
1.-THE rubber. tree" commented man.
ma. "abounds most on the rich lush flats |
of the Amazon. The principal market
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 every |
year"
The next composition was the follow
ing:
Il suggest the bread-fruit tree as the |
most useful tree. At least / 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 nourishing as bread. The
pulp is made into delicious pudding by |
adding cocoanut milk. The South Sea |
Islanders make cloth out of the bark,
and it is as handsome as cloth spun
from cotton or wool, but will not last as
long"
1T is a beautiful tree, for have seen
1t growing in the botanical gardens
mamma said. "A lazy kouse-keeper
might consider herself happy with
bread-trees and cow-trees growing in
her garden
1.-THE baker and the millzman would
be likely to protest" remarked Harry.
Il think the cocoanut palm is the
most useful tree" read mamma, as she
peaed the third composition. at fur
nishes food and milk. Sugar can be
made from the sap and cooking utensils
from, tbs nuts Tie nber which enTel-