HOW DOES A TREE
GROW?
OR
BOTANY FOR YOUNG AUSTRALIANS.
BY
JAMES BONWICK,
Sub-Inspector of Denominational Schools, Victoria,
Author of “Geography of Australia and New Zealand,”
&c. &c.
JAMES J. BLUNDELL & Co., Melbourne;
SANDS & KENNY, Sydney.
1857.
PREFACE.
At the request of several Teachers, I have commenceda Shilling Series of School Books, chieflyto be confined to subjects of Colonial Historyand Popular Sciences.
The form of dialogue has been adopted withthe “Botany for Young Australians,” from abelief that the sympathies of our young friendswill be excited on behalf of the juvenile questioner,and their interest thus maintained in thestudy of the sciences.
A dialogue upon Astronomy will shortly follow;being a conversation between a father and hisson, coming out to Australia, from Old England.
JAMES BONWICK.
Melbourne, April 17, 1857.
HOW A TREE GROWS
IN AUSTRALIA.
Willie was a fine rosy-faced boy of our southerncolony. Though not eight years of age, hewas as healthy and merry a lad as ever climbedup a Gum tree, picked up manna, or rode in abullock dray.
His father had once occupied a good positionin Old England; but the uncertainties and lossesof business, and the constant struggle to upholda respectable appearance with decreasing means,became so burdensome to his mind, that hisspirits failed, and his energies sunk. His attentionwas directed to Australia, the land of muttonand corn, the home of health and plenty.Gathering up the wreck of the past, he left thecountry of taxation and paupers, and establishedhimself on a small farm in Port Phillip.
The young hero of our story had been a yearor two in the colony. It so happened he had apiece of land of his own, in which he proudly[Pg 2]exhibited some rising cabbages, a few peas, anda flower or two. His father had given him arose tree, which was the reigning beauty of thebed. It was upon the occasion of his parent’svisit to the garden, that the following dialoguetook place:—
Look, father, and see how my rose tree hasgrown.
Indeed it has, Willie. Can you tell me whathas made it grow?
The sun and the rain, I suppose.
Do you remember, when we got tired of theold slab hut, and set about building this brickcottage, that you noticed it getting higher andhigher every day!
Yes, that was because more bricks and woodwere used.
Then, if your tree increases in size, theresurely must be something added on continually:do you think the sun and rain do this?
Well, I never thought about it, father; but Ishould like to know why it does grow.
Can you tell me, Willie, what a plum puddingis made of?
Yes, that I can. There is the flour, the suet,the raisins, and the cold water. All these aremixed together.
Then let us see of what our rose tree is made.
I don’t think it so easy to tell that as toreckon up the articles in a pudding.
Never mind, we will try. First, there is