Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1882 — Thread and. Needle Tree. [ARTICLE]

Thread and. Needle Tree.

The luxury of a thread-and-needle tree! Who can estimate the comfort of such helpfulness at one’s very door? Fancy the delight of matron or maiden dwelling under such overshadowing! Odd as it may seem to us, there is upon Mexican plains just such a forest growth. Imagine a “sewing bee” gathered under such fair foliage! No need of spools forever 'rolling hither and thither; no call for dainty reels compactly wound with snowy thread; or purchases of “Milward’s best.” Is there a seam ready for busy fingers or an appealing rent, just step outside the door of the much favored Mexican house-mother, lay your hand upon a slender thorn needle pushing itself persuasively from the tip of a dark green leaf, draw it carefully from its delicate sheath, slowly,slowly unwind ing wi h your hand the thread, a strong well-rounded fibre, already attached to the needle, and oh! so tenderly folded away by Mother Nature as to hold within itself possibilities of a long stretch of the cord. Travellers are enthusiastic over the resources of the manguey-tree; and of iis beauty no less, telling us of “clustering pyramids of flowers towering above aark coroni Is of leaves ” The roots well prepared are a most savory dish; with its leaves may be made a “thatching fit for a queen,” and no prettier sight can be met than the cottages of Mexican peasants so exquisitely crowned. The rich leaves also afford material for paper, and from the juices is distilled a favorite beverage. From its heavier fibres the natives manufacture strong cords and coarse strong cloth. No wonder the maguey-tree of tropical climes has attained world-wide fame!—[Harper’s Bazaar. *' -