24 



TREES IN WINTER 



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Fig. 14. Height Measurer in position for sighting to base of tree. 



Tree Collections — Tlie collecting instinct is said to be one 

 of the early marks of a naturalist. Whether this is true or not, 

 it is certain that the gathering and arranging of a collection is a 

 sure means of becoming familiar with objects of natural history. 

 For many it has an irresistable fascination. To the specialist 

 in systematic botany, a well ordered collection is indispensable. 

 In any large herbarium it will be found that a considerable part 

 of the collections have been contributed by amateurs. It is not 

 enough to have a species represented by a single specimen. All 

 parts of the plant should be collected in different stages of devel- 

 opment. It is surprising, therefore, that even the best herbaria 

 are strongly in need of material illustrating the winter condition of 

 woody plants, although the winter twigs form one of the best 

 means of identifying tree species. Plants vary so much, whatever 

 mark of distinction is considered, that specimens are desired from 

 different situations and from different geographical regions in order 

 to show how widely the individual species may vary. The possi- 

 bilities of collecting, therefore, are practically limitless to those 

 who are interested in this form of study. 



In the preceding paragraphs, some of the methods of tree 

 study that it has been thought might prove suggestive to the am- 

 ateur individual student of the subject have been outlined. In 

 the remaining sections of the chapter, the subject of tree study 

 in schools will be briefly considered. Forestry schools and for- 



Library 

 N". C, State College 



