bruary 4, 190 nvitation to previous buss : for me to yours, NRY CURTIS ter is so different from the great Metropolis. This Please give my kindest regards to all the family. HENRY FIELD. LESSON XXII REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES The rapid settlement and improvement of many parts of our country have been greatly aided by the invention of various kinds of machinery. The work of many hands can now be done by one machine, and thus a great saving of human labor is effected. In former times, the crops of wheat and oats, rye and barley, were gathered with a sickle; the grain was thrashed with a flail; the in the meadows was cut with a grass scythe. But, now, all this is changed; on the great prairies of the West, the wheat, rye and oats are cut by the reaper, a The scythe has given place to the machine, and the sickle and flail ha laid away as relics of other times. the machinery invented by the geni skill of man, not only lightens the l the farmer, but it performs the work formerly required the united effort o men. Many foreign countries send United States for mowers and reape cause it is here these machines have r their highest perfection. eaper, and machine doe to the mowin Hail have bee times. The ne genius an s the labor of e work which Fort of many send to the reapers, be ave reached ering these stores of wealth, and through the LESSON XXIV BIRDS In the United States there are a great many birds. Many of them live in the woods; others are found in the fields. Some are seen in the gardens, and a few are kept in our houses. The eagle builds her nest upon the highest rock, while the wren forms her snug and tiny nest in the wayside hedge. The swallow plasters her nest upon the gable of the house or under the eaves of the barn. Out in the wheat-field we hear the whistle of the quail. The noise of the ducks and geese comes to us from the pond. The birds of prey dart downward through the air. Everywhere we find the birds. In autumn the migratory birds but they return in the spring. March we hear the call of the robin. same time the bold and saucy blueus his first visit. One hears the swe of the birds from May until October. of them remain with us during the There are many things that birds The swallows fly with the greates The ostrich runs rapidly. Swimmin dive with much skill. The owl noiselessly through the night air. B prey search out their victims with vision. Nearly all birds build skillfully nests with their bills and feet. Some them out of straw, and the little bird ally line them with wool. The large of prey build theirs from small stick twigs. For the most part they hatc eggs with the warmth of the body. 1 birds are highly valued on account of eggs, while others are prized for their and feathers. Still others charm us their songs. LESSON XXV SLEEP Of all the wonderful things about us, sleep is one of the most wonderful. How it comes, why it comes, how it does its kind, helpful work, not even the wisest people are able to tell. We do not have much trouble in seeking it, it comes to us of itself. It takes us in its kindly arms, quiets and comforts us, repairs and refreshes us, and turns us out in the morning quite like new people. Sleep is necessary to life and health. We crave it as urgently as we do food or drink. In our waking hours, rest is obtained only at short intervals; the muscles, the nerves, and the brain are in full activity. Repair goes on every moment, whether we are awake or asleep; but during the waking hours the waste of the tissues is far ahead of the repair, while during sleep the repair exceeds the waste. Hence a need of rest which at regular intervals causes all parts of the bodily machinery to be run at |