SHADE TREES 



179 



Collection of native wood specimens. A collection of 

 native wood specimens that may be used as an aid in 

 learning the names of trees and the structure of the wood 

 may be made and mounted so that it will be ready for 

 use at any time (see 

 Fig. 99). Gather sticks 

 that are ten or twelve 

 inches long and about 

 two inches in diam- 

 eter. After they are 

 well seasoned, cut out 

 sections six inches 

 long and saw them 

 lengthwise through 

 the center. In cut- 

 ting the green wood 

 it is necessary to al- 

 low this extra length, 

 as the pieces will 

 " check," or crack, 

 in the process of dry- 

 ing, and the cracked 

 ends must be cut off, 



to obtain an even surface. Make the cut surfaces smooth 

 with sandpaper and give them a coat of shellac and a 

 coat of varnish. The name of the variety may be placed 

 on the lower end of the section. 



Pests. To hold in check the elm-leaf beetle, spray 

 with arsenate of lead when the larvae first make their 



FIG. 99. A Collection of Wood Sections made 

 by Sixth-Grade Pupils in Ipava, Illinois 



