822 Home Nature-Study Course. 



of many of the armies of the world. So, as the tree is of slow growth, 

 good sized specimens are scarce, though occasionally one is met which 

 has attained a century of age and height and massiveness of trunk to 

 correspond, and such a sight makes one understand how primitive man 

 might worship trees. 



The softer, lighter colored, golden brown wood of the butternut is in 

 less demand, though, as it takes a satin-like polish, it is much used for 

 interior finishing, especially in cars, steamships and public offices. 



If good specimens of either tree are within walking distance of the 

 school, the time will be well used which is spent by pupils and teacher 

 in visiting them for the purpose of studying near at hand. Particularly 

 fortunate are those who can find a black walnut and a butternut in such 

 close proximity that comparisons may be made and differences so care- 

 fully noted that identification of either tree may be quite certainly made 

 at any season. Winter is the best time to study the real characters of 

 trees for then their outlines and ways of growth are not hidden beneath a 

 thick dress of green leaves. And by the season's twigs, and the winter 

 buds the specimens may be distinguished as readily as in time of flower 

 or fruit. 



Lesson XLIII. 

 the trees. 



Purpose. — To assist the children to such close observation of the many 

 points of likeness and difference that they may be able at any time to 

 distinguish either tree from its relatives. 



Observations by Pupils. — (i). Are the trees growing in a wood or in 

 an open space, like a field or beside a road or street? 



(2). Note the habit of growth; that is, has the tree a low, wide- 

 spreading head, forking near the ground, with branches few and irregu- 

 larly disposed, or is it tall and upright, with a rather oblong but full and 

 rounded head? 



(3). Observe the bark, its color and corrugations, whether with wide 

 furrows and smooth narrow ridges, or deeply divided into rough and 

 rounded ridges which form a coarse net-work on the trunk. 



(4). Are the branches the same color as the trunk? Are they rough 

 or smooth? 



(5). What is the color of the young branches just below the last 

 season's twigs? Note the prominence and color of the leaf-scars. Do 

 the dots which are the lenticels or breathing spores show in the bark? 



