wide. The blue
field would be five feet wide and seven feet long.

This was certainly a task, and the boys were directed to prepare four
strips of red and three strips of white, each nine feet long, and also
three strips of white and three strips of red sixteen feet long. Four of
the short strips and three of the long strips were then laid aside to be
dyed red. The other strips were put out to bleach.

When all this was prepared George was troubled about the colors.

"Professor, I do not see what we can use to make the blue and red
colors."

"I think we are fortunate in having one of the varieties of the madder
plant all about here."

"Is that a good dye plant?"

"It is a plant that is more extensively used for dyeing than any other
in the world. For many years, until the products from petroleum began to
come in, it was the only source for the red colors, because of its
permanence. The dye is so powerful that it will turn the bones of
animals red, if they are fed on it, and it also colors the claws and
beaks of birds."

"Have you seen any of it here?"

"There is plenty of it growing here. You cannot mistake it. It is the
plant with the elongated, smooth-edged leaf, which grows on the main
stem, from which the small, thin stems branch out that carry the little
red flowers."

"I know what you mean; let me get some of them at once." And George was
off after the plant.

Meanwhile Harry was busily at work cutting out the double set of stars
required for the blue field.

Several days before this George had prepared the roots of the chicory
plant, as will be remembered, and it had been dried, and was ready to be
ground up. At the noon meal he served the first cup of "coffee," to the
delight of Harry, who was completely taken by surprise, and afforded
much amusement for George and the Professor.

"It seems to be rather strong," was Harry's only comment, "and even if
it isn't real coffee, it is good enough, I assure you."

"Wouldn't it be injurious to take too much of it?"

[Illustration: _Fig. 33. Betel Nut._]

"Exactly with this as with everything else. It is not the use, but the
abuse, that causes trouble. Of course, chicory does not have the
soothing and hunger-staying qualities of the real coffee, but the bitter
principle in the root is a tonic, and the extract is used as a medicine
for that purpose. The leaves of the endive, of which we are using the
roots, make a most delicious salad."

"Don't many p