WOODLAND MAGIC 



93 



is contemplated. The combined power of the federated 

 outdoor clubs will represent the digested and crystal- 

 lized opinion of some of the best thinkers in our country 

 in their various fields of outdoor work. It will be a 

 meeting ground at which the relationship of every 

 move to the good of the whole will be tried out and if 

 good will be stamped with the approval of the federation 

 and receive its support. 



Legislation that has long been needed, legislation that 

 has been sponsored by a limited group of lovers of the 

 outdoors, legislation that does particular good in one out- 

 door field but which has a direct bearing on many, will 

 thus be made possible through the unbiased actions of the 

 federation. The harm that will be done by such a fed- 

 eration is practically nil. If there be harm in it it is not 

 apparent on the surface. The greatest menace to the en- 

 tire idea and the structure is the securing of the balance 

 of power in it by one group that has some selfish, partisan 

 motive behind their activities. This is the only way that 

 it would seem possible for the federation to become any- 

 thing but a great movement for good. 



It will be opposed by certain groups. It will be fought 

 by those who expect to get something from the natural 

 resources of the country for their personal benefit. Those 

 in political power may try to wreck it for their own ends. 

 But if there is a real core of genuine Americans in such 

 an organization, a public-spirited group of genuine lev- 

 ers of our great outdoors, it will take considerable pres- 

 sure, unusual craftiness or other insidious force of mo- 

 ment to smash the organization. 



The Federation of Outdoor Clubs of America or what- 

 ever agency may gather together and mould into one 

 great purpose all the effort of the outdoor clubs of the 

 nation, has its work cut out for it. It has an opportunity 

 to do a great service to mankind and especially to the 

 members of the organization within the federation. Only 

 a debasing of ideals, a manipulation of its power to pri- 

 vate or partisan ends will make it anything but a national 

 force for good. Its work first consists of educating its 

 own federated members as to what they, in their various 



organizations are trying to accomplish. Second, it will 

 then have to educate these same people in the relation- 

 ships which exist between all outdoor activities. The in- 

 terdependencies of all of the various children of nature 

 should be brought home to all that all may see they are 

 naturally related. After educating the federation mem- 

 bers there is the immense field of education to be covered 

 with the general public. The combined efforts of all will 

 go further towards increasing the knowledge in each di- 

 vision of outdoors than the unaided efiforts of a single 

 organization. The opportunity for good in this field is 

 almost unlimited. There is scarcely a thing done com; 

 pared to what should be done and there is needed a cen- 

 tralized, strong force to bring about this general educa- 

 tion of the public now so earnestly sought by each out- 

 door club working alone. 



The federation has been pointed out as an ideal medium 

 of exchange of ideas. Its bulletins or publications should 

 always carry either a digest of all of the best articles, 

 reports or pamphlets issued by various outdoor agencies 

 or at least a list of such articles. 



Finally, the great power of the federation to bring 

 about good through directing constructive legislation 

 can hardly be estimated. When its members can see that 

 it is really "all for one and one for all" in the outdoor 

 activities everyone will cooperate to bring about con- 

 structive legislation or to kill completely, destructive, 

 malicious attempts to raid the outdoors. 



The whole move has a direct bearing on forest recre- 

 ation. Outdoor recreation is but a human use of the 

 rural areas whether in forest, lake or field. It is recre- 

 ation that brings many in contact with nature and her 

 children. Outdoor recreation cannot but benefit from a 

 thorough understanding of all outdoors by all people in- 

 terested, for it is touched by practically every field of 

 outdoor activities. But it is believed that this is so of 

 every outdoor activity. Each must benefit from benefit 

 to another. The federation cannot do otherwise than 

 help all. 



WOODLAND MAGIC 



Up in town, when Jones is dining, 

 Nothing seems to please his taste ; 

 He's a poor dispeptic, whining 

 At each dish before him placed ; 

 He's a cynic, culinary ; 

 Analyzes every bite. 

 And he eats like a canary. 

 For he has no appetite. 



But in camp, when bacon's broiling 

 In a grease-bespattered pan, 

 And he sniffs the coffee boiling 

 In a battered, blackened can ; 

 When he scents the smoke emerging 

 From a blaze of pungent pine 

 Then his palate needs no urging, 

 And his appetite is fine! 



Up in town, when he betakes him. 



Drowsy-lidded to the hay, 



Sleep, the goddess, doth forsake him 



In a most provoking way ; 



He can turn and twist and mutter ; 



Fuss and sputter but alack ! 



Sweet repose has vanished utter 



From the poor insomniac. 



But when balsam boughs are scattered 

 On the woodland's balmy breast. 

 And a blanket, mud-bespattered, 

 Forms the haven of his rest, 

 He can lie down, without fussing, 

 Near a water-fall that roars, 

 And keep everybody cussing 

 With his loudly booming snores ! 



James Edward Hungerford. 



