SHADE TREES AND FORESTS 485 



SCHOOL PROJECT 9 



Purpose. To make an exhibit of leaves of trees, to which 

 you may invite your friends. 



Directions, i . In connection with your studies of trees, it will 

 be interesting for the class to prepare a special exhibit of tree 

 leaves to which you may invite your parents and friends. This 

 may be made a very pleasant social occasion. The class may be 

 divided into about ten groups, each of which is to collect leaves 

 of a certain family of trees, such as the following : the maples, 

 the elms, the oaks, the birches, the willows, the poplars, the 

 ashes, the nut trees, the locusts, and a miscellaneous group to 

 include any other trees not mentioned. Each group will try 

 to get all the different kinds of trees in his family found growing 

 in the locality. 



2. In order to press the leaves, put them between the folds 

 of newspapers, place a board on top of the pile, and on the board 

 put some weight, such as books or stones. Allow them to re- 

 main for about two weeks. In order to mount them, secure 

 some plain, white paper and fasten the leaves to this by means 

 of strips of gummed paper. When possible, collect the fruit 

 as well as the leaves. These mounts may be placed around the 

 walls of the room. 



3. If these collections are made in the late autumn, they may 

 be made more attractive by securing colored leaves. 



4. In case any questions may be asked at the exhibit about 

 the tree, look up the interesting facts about your trees, so that 

 you will be ready to answer questions that may be asked. 



Conservation of forests. When the white man first settled 

 this country, he found the forests a barrier to his progress. 

 He was obliged to cut down the trees in order to raise the 

 crops that would keep him and his family from famine. 

 Behind the shelter of the trees lurked the Indian, ready to 

 massacre his family when a favorable opportunity appeared. 

 As he looked westward, the long line of unbroken forest 

 impeded his march in that direction, and we may well under- 

 stand that it was with great joy that the early settlers saw 



