Suggestive programs for special day exercises/Arbor Day/Which shall It be

by Jason Elmer Hammond

WHICH SHALL IT BE?

First boy—
 If we are all to choose and say
 What trees we’d like to plant to-day,
 Seems to me none can be
 Half so good as a Christmas tree!
 For surely even a baby knows
 That’s where the nicest candy grows.
  Candy on a Christmas tree,
  That's what pleases me!

Second boy—
 :Planted out, ’twould never bear—
 But, after all, why should we care?
 The richest thing is what we bring
 From sugar maples in the spring;
 So now I’ll set a maple here.
 For feast and frolic every year.
 Sugar from a maple tree.
 That's what pleases me!

Third boy—
 Sweets are good most any day,
 But as for trees, I’m bound to say.
 A shag-bark tall is best of all
 When once the nuts begin to fall;
 And so a hickory tree I’ll set.
 And piles of fun and nuts I’ll get.
 Nuts from a hickory tree.
 That’s what pleases me!

Fourth boy—
 I shall plant an apple tree.
 That’s the best of all for me;
 And each kind to suit my mind,
 On this one with grafts I’ll bind.
 Ripe or green, the whole year through,
 Pie or dumpling, bake or stew,
 Every way I like ’em best,
 And I’ll treat the rest.

—Youths’ Companion.