11 



For the written descriptive exercises the pupil in the inter- 

 mediate and upper grades should have before him upon the 

 blackboard some such outline as the following. The wise 

 teacher will of course adapt it to the degree of development 

 of her pupils, leaving out those things which the pupil will 

 be unable to describe to advantage. If there are no cones it 

 may be better to omit that topic. 



Outline for Description of a Conifer. 

 1. Leaf: 4. Fruit: 



Arrangement. 



Color. 



Length. 



Shape. 



Apex. 



Color. 

 Size. 

 Shape. 

 Scales. 

 Seed. 

 5. Tree: 



Manner of growth. 

 Range. 



2. Bark: 



Color. 

 Surface. 



3. Buds:- 



Color. 



Shape. 



Surface. 



Many of the conifers have distinctive odors, which may 

 well be noted in their study. The aromatic perfume of the 

 arbor vitse is very different from the resinous .odor of many 

 of the pines, and would serve to identify it at any time. 



Upon the foundation laid by the studies thus outlined a 

 more complete superstructure may be built by a study of the 

 trees out of doors, beginning with such as may be seen from 

 the windows of the schoolroom, and continuing as far as 

 possible by means of outdoor excursions. Occasional reviews 

 with actual specimens, and memory drawings of leaves and 

 cones, as well as sketches of the growing trees, will be helpful 

 in making permanent the pupils' knowledge of the ever- 

 greens. 



The final visible result of the pupils' work may be a 

 booklet, into which is bound the drawings, the mounted speci- 

 mens, the descriptions and the written selections. The com- 

 pleteness of these booklets and the perfection of their work 

 will depend, of course, upon the development of the pupil and 

 the kind of supervision given. To some extent such booklets 



