Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-03-27
USEFUL TREES.
what the Children Thought, and Their
Reasons for Thinking 50.
Good Cheer.

Reasons for Thinking 80.
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 now9' bolster
ously asked Fred.
'Stage-coach, suggested Harry.
That is too noisy" thoughtfully OBJ
jected Fanny. 1t will give mamma the
headache
Hot butter Beans" proposed little
Susie, in squeaking 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 a 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.
Il think it is a capital idea" said
George, as he caught up one of the pen
ellis.
Mother. we ought to be limited as 10
time. suggested Fanny
Yes, did not think of that. replied
mamma. 1t wants 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
"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
caoutchouc 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.
The rubber-tree, commented mann
ma, .abounds most on the rich lush fats
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 mill
lion dollars worth of rubber every
year.
The next composition was the follow
ing:
II suggest the bread-fruit tree as the
most useful tree. At least | should
think 50 il 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 a delicious pudding by
adding cocoanut milk The South Sea
islanders make ct0th OUT OF me BARK
and il is as handsome as cloth spun
from cotton Or wool, bat viii not last az
long
III is a beautiful tree. for have seen
It growing in the botanical gardens.
mamma said "a lazy house-kceper
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. |
II think the cocoanut palm is the |
most useful tree. read mamma. as she /
opened the third compositions ut fur |
nishes food and milk Sugar can be |
made from the sap and cooking utensils