70 PROTECTION OF PLANTS, 1918-19 



Common Trees 



My experience with country boys and girls who come to the College convinces 

 me that but few know the trees that grow in the woods. Our city boys and girls 

 are often better informed. It is a pity that such should be the case, for no feature 

 of the country should stand out more prominently both economically and aesthe- 

 tically. When we remember how important woods are for fuel, lumber, struc- 

 tural materials and implements, and how refreshing both summer and winter 

 are the the trees which we know so little, we ought to feel ashamed of our education 

 and of ourselves. 



It would not be difficult to get sample blocks of the woods of the vicinity, in 

 planed, cross and longitudinal sestions, and planed oiled lumber. Any planing 

 mill owner would be glad to supply these for the school collection. The teacher 

 should also aim to get the children to distingusih trees by their characteristic 

 shapes. The practical lore of our fathers regarding trees should not be lost 

 entirely by our generation. 



The Soils 



It is scarcely necessary to state that every farmer should be acquainted with 

 the soils of his farm. He should know the characters of the various kinds of 

 soils and recognize the fact that soils are not simply dirt. They contain not only 

 mineral substances, but also organic matter and a host of microscopic living things 

 that aid in keeping the soil fertile. Ignorance of these facts may soon ruin the 

 land. Good farming presupposes a knowledge of the properties of soils. 



Pupils at school could readily learn the different kinds of soils; sand, gravel, 

 clay and peat, and their combinations. They could also study the properties of 

 these soils with regard to their water-holding capacities, their power to draw up 

 water, and how these properties may be changed. Some soils are getting sour 

 or acid, and no longer grow good crops. The reason for this, and the improve- 

 ment of such soils, could be taught at school. Most interesting also is the story 

 of the origin of our soils, and some attempt should be made to get the pupils 

 acquainted with it. 



The Orchard 



What is a farm without an orchard? My old friend Dr. Robertson, first 

 Principal of Macdonald College, used to say that no family of children could be 

 reared properly apart from apple trees and apple blossoms. Plow are the farmers 

 of Quebec bringing up their children? Are they providing their children with 

 the requisite apple trees and apple blossoms? I am afraid the children are being 

 neglected. 



