Arbor Day Leaves Part 6

--[DR. E.P. WATERBURY]

=3. RECITATIONS.=

NOTE.--One or more of the recitations may be given with the planting of each tree, the number depending upon the number of trees planted.

_First pupil._

Plant in the spring-time the beautiful trees, So that in future each soft summer breeze, Whispering through tree-tops may call to our mind, Days of our childhood then left far behind.

Days when we learned to be faithful and true; Days when we yearned our life's future to view; Days when the good seemed so easy to do; Days when life's cares were so light and so few.

_Second pupil._

Plant trees for beauty, for pleasure and for health; Plant trees for shelter, for fruitage and for wealth.

_Third pupil._

n.o.bILITY.

True worth is in _being_, not _seeming_, In doing each day that goes by Some little good--not in the dreaming Of great things to do by and by.

--ALICE CARY.

_Fourth pupil._

PLANTING OF TREES.

Oh, happy trees which we plant to-day, What great good fortunes wait you!

For you will grow in sun and snow Till fruit and flowers freight you.

Your winter covering of snow, Will dazzle with its splendor; Your summer's garb, with richest glow, Will feast of beauty render.

In your cool shade will tired feet Pause, weary, when 'tis summer, And rest like this will be most sweet To every tired new-comer.

_Fifth pupil._

THE COMING OF SPRING.

When wake the violets, winter dies; When sprout the elm buds, Spring is near; When lilacs blossom, Summer cries, Bud, little rose! Spring is here.

--LOWELL.

_Sixth Pupil._

When we plant a tree, we are doing what we can to make our planet a more wholesome and happier dwelling-place for those who come after us, if not for ourselves.

--O.W. HOLMES.

_Seventh pupil._

"It is no exaggerated praise to call a tree the grandest and most beautiful of all the productions of the earth."

--GILPIN, _Forest Scenery_.

_Eighth pupil._

"Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the blossoms, Kind deeds are the fruits."

_Ninth pupil._

What do we plant when we plant the tree?

We plant the s.h.i.+p which will cross the sea.

We plant the mast to carry the sails; We plant the planks to withstand the gales-- The keel, the keelson, and beam and knee; We plant the s.h.i.+p when we plant the tree.

_Tenth pupil._

What do we plant when we plant the tree?

We plant the houses for you and me.

We plant the rafters, the s.h.i.+ngles, the floors, We plant the studding, the lath, the doors, The beams and siding, all parts that be; We plant the house when we plant the tree.

_Eleventh pupil._

What do we plant when we plant the tree?

A thousand things that we daily see; We plant the spire that out-towers the crag, We plant the staff for our country's flag, We plant the shade, from the hot sun free; We plant all these when we plant the tree.

--HENRY ABBEY.

=4. TREE PLANTING SONG.=

PLANTING OF THE TREE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Music notation]

1. Long this little stem has grown In a quiet spot, unknown: Now we plant it here, to be Ever honored as our tree.

2. May the kind earth give it food, And warm sunlight o'er it brood, Shower make bright, and storm make hard, And no harm its growth r.e.t.a.r.d.

3. May it give to men delight, Rich in shade, and fair to sight; And while untold years roll by, Speak of us to memory.

4. Little tree, our own! we pray, Be our teacher every day; On us strength and grace impress, That we, too, the world may bless.

J.D. BURRELL.

=5. PATRIOTIC RECITATION.=

UNION AND LIBERTY.