1 66 Lessons in Nature Study. 



mode of branching is after the leaves fall. This forms 

 good material for work in winter, when other natural 

 objects are hard to get. 



It is well not to go too far, but to map out a certain 

 definite extent of territory and study the trees in it first. 

 To one whose observation has not been directed to it, it 

 will be amazing what a wide range of trees is to be found 

 within very narrow limits of almost any school-house. This 

 does not, of course, apply to crowded city schools. 



I will here give the plan followed in the Chatham school. 

 We took a radius of about forty rods, and observed the 

 trees within those limits. We began with a white oak. It 

 was first drawn as seen from the school-room windows. At 

 recess the pupils went over to measure it three feet from 

 the ground, and' to bring back bark, twigs, acorns, dead 

 leaves, and anything else from the tree. The best drawing 

 was reproduced on the blackboard, and from this diagram 

 the general form and manner of branching were brought 

 out. Its sturdy, rugged, storm-defying attitude was noted. 

 One bright imaginative pupil remarked that the oak seemed 

 to be ready to shake his fist at the winds. The leaf was 

 drawn and its outline carefully noted. Its tough texture 

 and the texture of the branches also came in for a share of 

 the study. The topics White Oak, (i) Its Uses, and (2) 

 Its Geographical Range, were given to classes, the former to 

 younger and the latter to older pupils. The "Charter 

 Oak " was talked about. 



III. 



A fine symmetrical pin-oak grows just back from the 

 school in the centre of a wide pasture. It has never been 

 cramped by other trees, and so it has been free to expand 

 on all sides. The pin-oak follows the white oak for two 

 reasons : i, because both were oaks ; 2, because both were 

 handy to the school. The straight central shaft, the finer 

 and more graceful branches, the smoother bark and every 

 way more elegant appearance, furnished topics for much 

 conversation. 



