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proper economic attitude toward our parks and forests, many 
vexing questions would largely settle themselves, the law of use 
without abuse appealing naturally to all fair-minded and properly 
instructed people. 
Trees are especially adapted to child study. They are prom- 
inent, useful, abundant, beautiful, and varied, individually and 
collectively, throughout every season of the year. In summer, 
they shelter us from the sun; in winter, they shed their leaves 
and Jet the sunshine in. When other natural objects are dead or 
dormant or covered with snow, trees still afford most attractive 
objects of study. In the springtime, they put forth their leaves, 
which serve as beautiful and characteristic “visiting cards,” and 
make their appeal for recognition and remembrance not only 
during the luxuriant growth of summer but also when the colors 
have been touched and glorified by autumn. The leaves are 
easily collected and preserved and may be used for identification 
until more and better characters are discovered and studied. 
Children may also be made to realize that they can assist in pro- 
tecting trees and in destroying many of the insect pests that are 
usually so abundant about cities and towns. 
In studying history, art, literature, mythology, and the cus- 
toms of various peoples, a child finds many references to trees 
and tree-lore. If we add to these sentiments and fancies some 
definite and accurate knowledge of the more common trees in 
one’s locality, together with the life-history and needs of trees 
in general, it means a much broader and happier life for the child 
and man. Trees will then never be forgotten, but will be recog- 
nized and loved as the faces of friends; and, when life draws 
hear to its close, one may come to realize that a marble tomb and 
eternal sleep for the body’s dust is not to be compared with a 
grave in the forest beneath some noble tree, where life and ac- 
tivity and beauty may be repeated through the cycles for the 
benefit of every flower that blooms in its shade, every bird that 
sings in its branches, and every human being who loves to walk 
and muse in the forest solitudes. 
W. A. MURRILL 
