The young girls then select by lot, one of their number to be crowned as May Queen.  She is crowned with a beautiful wreath of flowers and presides for the rest of the day over the amusements of her subjects.  In the picture you see the May pole—­the Queen, the crowner, and her two maids of honor.

[Illustration:  Strawberries.]

Strawberries.

Who does not like Strawberries?  They are the most delicious of all berries.  They are to be found growing in a wild state in almost all temperate climates.  During the past few years, the consumption of the strawberry has become so enormous, as to make it a profitable berry to cultivate.  Jane Smith has been cultivating some berries, not for the market, but for her own use.  She has her two sisters in the garden, and is showing them her nice beds.  You see the kind of place she has chosen for her beds.  Shaded and dark situations under the drip of trees, are unfavorable for the fruit.  You should always choose an open, airy and warm exposure.  The seeds should be sown in the spring, in a bed of light rich mould.  You must be careful and not allow the weeds to grow up with your plants, as they will be sure to kill them.  The plants do not bear the first season, but produce well the second.  The plant never bears fruit but once, and is then turned down to make room for a new crop.  You must plant your seeds in rows, and do not plant any thing else between the rows.  The rows should be from nine to twelve inches apart.  You must not think this a great trouble, for you know how delicious they are; one or two saucers of good berries and cream, will amply repay all trouble.

[Illustration:  Going Alone.]

Going alone.

Here is a lady showing her husband, how she has taught little Lizzie to go alone.  Lizzie is only fourteen months old, and can walk across the room alone.  She does not walk but runs.  It is amusing to see her.  She will crawl to the side of the room, then stand up, and after balancing herself for a moment, she will run towards her mother.  See how delighted they all seem.  The father is pleased, to see his little girl walk, for then, he can soon take her out with him in his walks.  You know that it is said we must all “creep before we walk,” well, I will illustrate this for you by a nice story.  “Many centuries ago, there reigned over Thebes, Laius and Iocasta.  Laius was one day killed on the road as he was airing himself in his chariot.  Shortly after, a terrible plague broke out in Thebes, and the Sphinx ravaged all the neighborhood.  The Sphinx gave out that the plague would cease and his ravages be ended, when this riddle was solved:—­’What animal walks on four feet in the morning, two at noon day, and three in the evening.’  None of the wise men could solve it, and so their misfortune continued.  At length, Iocasta the Queen, said that whoever could solve the riddle, should be king and have her hand in marriage.  One Oedipsus hearing of the offer, and having been insulted in Corinth, went to Thebes, and thus rendered the solution of the riddle.  ‘The animal,’ he said, ’was man.  In his infancy, the morning of life, he walks on hands and feet:  at manhood, the noon-day of life, he walks on his feet alone:  in old age, the evening of life, he walks with a stick.’  Oedipsus was married to Iocasta and reigned as King.”