1905 | NATURE StTuDY—No. 26. 1II 
NATURE STUDY—No. XXVI. 
‘ Seviatice 
: FieELD WorK AT THE OTTAWA NORMAL SCHOOL SUMMER COURSE 
n FOR TEACHERS. 
A. E. Atrwoop, M.A. 
Nature Study was the feature most emphasized at the recent 
session of the Summer School at Ottawa. During the forenoons 
two lectures were delivered daily by Dr. J. F. White, Mr. J. H. 
Putman, Dr. James Fletcher and other members of the Field- 
Naturalists’ Club. The afternoons were devoted to practical field 
work, the leaders being Dr. J. F..White, Mr. J. H. Putman, Mr. 
J. F. Sullivan and Mr. A. E. Attwood. The object of this sketch 
is to record the methods of work and other suggestive features of 
“the daily excursions. 
July 4. In spite of the excessively hot weather, over one 
hundred teachers visited the Arboretum of the Experimental Farm, 
where they were met by the Director, Dr. Saunders, and the 
Entomologist and Botanist, Dr. J. Fletcher. After a half-hour’s 
ramble among the trees and shrubs, a halt was made at the 
coniferous group, where Dr. Saunders gave an interesting ad- 
dress on the evergreens, illustrating his remarks by the specimens 
at hand. ‘For ornamental purposes he recommended the Colorado 
Blue Spruce ( Picea pungens glauca). He showed how the Nor- 
way Spruce (P. excelsa) may be identified by its leaves and 
handsome cones over four inches long. When the teachers had 
reached the maple group, they were addressed by Dr. Fletcher. 
He referred to the lack of unanimity among the authorities as to 
the exact species whose leaf is the emblem of Canada. By break- 
ing twigs of a Norway maple ( Acer platanoides ) he demonstrated 
the one serious fault of this species for cultivation—its brittleness. 
July 5. Serious work was begun at the Britannia outing. 
The students were divided into four groups, the investigations of 
each group here and in subsequent excursions being directed by a 
leader. After a ramble of an hour and a half, all the groups 
assembled at a place previously selected, where discussions took 
place and short addresses were given. The subject of trees was 
considered and the students contributed the following charaeter- 
istics of an ideal ornamental tree: hardiness and ease of culture ; 
freedom from insect pests; beauty of foliage and symmetry of 
contour; beauty and abundance of bloom; and usefulness of fruit. 
July 6. A profitable afternoon was spent at Rockcliffe. The 
leaders discussed trees, and the following species were recom- 
mended for ornamental purposes in school gardens: Wier’s Cut- 
leaved Maple, Schwedler’s Norway Maple, Sugar Maple, Ameri. 
