BE PATRIOTIC, VOTE FOR A NATIONAL TREE 125 



sufficient material for so large a number of children, permission was 

 obtained from the city's tree planting department to carefully cut 

 what sprays were needed from the street trees. Pictures were 

 obtained from the U. S. Forest Service; wood sections and bark 

 specimens from wood piles in suburban sections where real estate 

 operators were "improving" land by felling trees. 



To insure that the children would know the trees in the open, at 

 the close of each lesson assignments to be completed before the 

 nature-study teacher's next visit were left with committees of 

 children. All teachers know, however, that children's committees 

 need the inspiration of the classroom teachers. The busy eighth 

 grade teachers of Washington always found the time to give this 

 inspiration. A few local examples will illustrate the assignments. 



There are magnificent elms in the White House Grounds, the 

 Ellipse, the Capitol Grounds and Franklin Park. Visit one of 

 these places and learn its shape. 



The nearest sycamores to the Ross School are on Eleventh 

 Street. Are they desirable for street planting? Find out why 

 they were pruned so severely last spring. 



There are three kinds of hickories around Washington, the 

 mockernut; the pignut; the bitternut. Find the nuts of each. 

 If you are a good Scout you can. 



Learn the names of the five commonest apples for sale in Wash- 

 ington markets. 



What is there about dogwood that is the cause of its destruction ? 

 You know its berries. Go to the Zoo before they fall and learn 

 its bark. 



Name all streets that are planted with oaks within five blocks 

 north, south, east and west of your school. Find the circumference 

 of the largest oak in the section, measuringfour feet above the ground. 



Other assignments were given that would send the children to 

 books. The pubHc libraries decidedly felt the pressure. A few 

 illustrations of these will be sufficient. 



Does the elm grow in sufficient number of states to warrant 

 making it the national tree? 



There are pecan trees at Mt. Vernon over a hundred years old. 

 Find something of historical interest about them. 



The name dogwood is odd. Is there a reason for it? 



Are pines strictly evergreen? How did they acquire the habit of 

 keeping their leaves in winter? How is turpentine madci* 



