the rosy fruit that around them lies.

And if they inquire whence came such trees
Where not a bough once swayed in the breeze?
The reply still comes as they travel on,
"These trees were planted by Appleseed John."

(_From "Appleseed John" by Maria Child._)

* * * * * *

Grandpa stopped, and from the grass at our feet,
Picked up an apple, large, juicy, and sweet;
Then took out his jack-knife, and, cutting a slice,
Said, as we ate it, "Isn't it nice
To have such apples to eat and enjoy?
Well, there weren't very many when I was a boy,
For the country was new--e'en food was scant;
We had hardly enough to keep us from want,
And this good man, as he rode around,
Oft eating and sleeping upon the ground,
Always carried and planted appleseeds--
Not for himself, but for others' needs.
The appleseeds grew, and we, to-day,
Eat of the fruit planted by the way.
While Johnny--bless him--is under the sod--
His body is--ah! he is with God;
For, child, though it seemed a trifling deed,
For a man just to plant an appleseed,
The apple-tree's shade, the flowers, the fruit,
Have proved a blessing to man and to brute.
Look at the orchards throughout the land,
All of them planted by old Johnny's hand.
He will forever remembered be;
I would wish to have all so think of me."

* * * * * *

_Bibliography of John Chapman._

_Howe's History of Ohio, Vol. II, p. 484._

_Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI, p.
290. Vol. IX, p. 301._

_"Philip Seymour" or "Pioneer Life in Richland County" by Rev. James F.
McGraw._

_"The Quest of John Chapman" by Newell Dwight Hillis._

[Illustration: JACKSON TOWNSHIP, PICKAWAY COUNTY, CENTRALIZED SCHOOL
BUILDING.]

WHY STUDY BIRDS?

A Cincinnati teacher in one of the big intermediate schools recently
discussed with her class the question of studying birds. She reminded
them that they are city children living in a densely populated
district, and that they could hardly expect to see the live birds
unless they went into the country, but agreed to forming a bird-study
class if the children could give good reasons for doing so.

One child called attention to the fact that they read and studied about
many things all over the world that they never hoped to see, wh