152 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [7 :6— Sept., 1911 



the stages of manufacture, is full of interesting incidents. This 

 story, written up by the pupils in a "forest booklet," illustrated 

 by drawings or pictures cut from papers or magazines, forms 

 a splendid exercise in composition. This booklet can be amplified 

 by an appendix containing lists of useful household articles and 

 food or medicinal products obtained from trees. Likewise, each 

 of these products has its own story, and the class can vary its 

 lessons on the usefulness of the forest by having several of these 

 "stories" written up by members of the class. 



Besides its commercial importance, the forest is useful to 

 man because of its protective influence. "What trees do for 

 us" forms another interesting topic for an essay, in which might 

 be included discussions of how the trees furnish shade for us 

 and shelter our homes from storms and winds; how they hold 

 the soil on forest-covered hillsides, thus preventing erosion ; 

 how they enrich the soil on the forest floor each year by a layer 

 of humus formed from their fallen leaves; and how these leaves 

 protect the roots and seeds of plants through the winter, covering 

 the ground like a blanket to shield them from frost. 



It is impossible, in the short space allowed in this paper, to 

 suggest all the different lines along which these studies might be 

 pursued, but a publication entitled "Forestry in Nature Study," 

 now being prepared by the Forest Service, will contain detailed 

 suggestions for such work, adapted for the various grades and 

 arranged by seasons. This publication will soon be available for 

 free distribution to teachers. If a request is directed to The 

 Forester, Washington, D. C, a copy will be sent to any person 

 interested as soon as the bulletin becomes available. 



Of course, the great question with the teacher is always 

 "How shall I teach these things ?" There are no elementary text- 

 books to be used, and we are so accustomed to depend upon the 

 text-book that most of us are well nigh helpless without one. 

 The good teacher, however, never lets the text-book interfere 

 with her teaching, and fortunately, for the study of the forest, no 

 book is necessary, since all the material necessary can be had first- 

 hand everywhere. 



One of the best ways to secure material for study and at the 

 same time to increase the interest of the pupils, is to start a school 

 "forest museum," containing samples of forest products, collec- 

 tions of woods, and other materials derived from the forest. 

 It is essential, however, for the greatest success of such a museum r 

 that the material collected be used for something more than 



