58 CIVIC BIOLOGY 



afoot for building dams and impounding the flood waters of 

 our streams and rivers. Much of this will be necessary on 

 account of past mistakes in clearing watersheds and also on 

 account of the original configuration of certain regions ; but first, 

 and in connection with these plans, we should unite as a whole 

 people in planting trees to conserve both soil and water on the 

 farms. Otherwise, under present ignorance and mismanage- 

 ment, how long will it be before our reservoirs are filled to the 

 tops of their dams with mud ? 



Observe and study typical springs and streams, and learn 

 the history of them for a number of years. Have they shrunk 

 or gone dry ? If so, is it because woods have been cut above 

 their sources ? They may be restored by replanting the water- 

 sheds. Has it been necessary to deepen wells during periods 

 of drought ? Has a man the moral right to clear off a woods 

 that will cause his neighbor's spring or well to go dry ? 



Study in a practical way what the local streams are carrying, 

 if muddy. Temporary streams will serve, if permanent ones 

 are not available. After a freshet, are some streams clear and 

 others muddy ? How do their relations to woodlands explain 

 the difference ? Follow up a muddy stream and find where 

 the soil is being eroded. Can you sketch a plan of planting 

 with trees or permanent grass to prevent this ? Make a list 

 and map of all the places in the district that are washing 

 badly, or survey typical farms with this feature in mind. 

 Sketch a plan of planting which will improve conditions 

 throughout the district. After this has been perfected and 

 thoroughly discussed by the class and with parents most con- 

 cerned, arrange for publication of the plan in local papers or 

 make it the subject of consideration in a community meeting. 

 All can then arrange for saving or procuring the necessary 

 seeds or young trees and for doing the actual planting. If not 

 too extensive, possibly all of this work can be done in outdoor 

 laboratory periods by the class. At least the seeds might be 



