QUESTIONS 365 



PROJECTS, EXERCISES, AND FIELD STUDIES 



1. A forest nursery project should include (1) preparation of soil, (2) 

 planting of seeds or setting of plants from seed bed, (3) cultivation, (4) digging, 

 sorting, counting, bunching, (5) sale or transplanting to wood lot. Keep 

 records of expenses, varieties, numbers, sales, etc. 



2. Starting a wood lot or shelter belt may be a home project. It should 

 include (1) planning, (2) selection of site, (3) preparation of ground for the 

 young trees, (4) setting the trees, (5) inter-cropping if possible, (6) all care for 

 at least one growing season. 



3. Collections of wood and forest seeds should be made for homes and for 

 schools. Mount woods to show cross-sections and longitudinal views of the 

 grain. Also show the polished and varnished surfaces of those that are suit- 

 able for this. Samples of bark may be placed with each. Seeds may be placed 

 in bottles and labelled. 



4. Forest products of other kinds may be assembled. Include as many as 

 possible of those mentioned in this chapter. 



5. Wood products of many kinds may be assembled for special exhibits. 



6. Study of gullying should be made on a field trip. At the same time note 

 the influence of tree growth in holding soil and preventing floods from starting 

 gullies. 



7. Streams, wells and springs should be studied in both wet and dry 

 seasons. If possible take the actual rate of flow at each season, and note the 

 influence of wooded areas on these flows in different localities. 



8. The forest carpet and the amount and source of leaf-mold should be 

 examined in several places. Compare these in young and old woods. 



9. Effects of Forest Carpet. — Tilt a small table at an angle of about thirty 

 degrees. Place on this a large sheet of blotting paper. At the upper side slowly 

 pour a glass of water on the blotter. Note the time required for water to flow 

 to the lower edge of table. Now remove the blotter and repeat the trial on the 

 bare table. How does the experiment show the effects of a forest carpet? How 

 does a forest prevent serious floods? 



10. Learn to know the trees of the region in both summer and winter con- 

 ditions. The trees with deep tap roots, and those with shallow roots may be 

 listed. 



QUESTIONS 



1. What can you say of the need of a wood lot for each farm? 



2. What are the chief products of the woods in your region? 



3. Describe some good locations for the farm wood lot. 



4. What is the need for wind breaks and shelter belts in prairie states? 



5. Suggest ways of obtaining trees for planting. 



6. What care will the young plantation require? 



7. Give important points in scientific harvesting. 



8. Discuss the profits from forests on poor land. 



9. How do forests influence floods, wells, springs, streams, and drouth? 

 10. What observations have you made along these lines? 



References. — U. S. Farmers' Bulletins: 516, Production of Maple Sirup 

 and Sugar; 622, Basket Willow Culture; 700, Pecan Culture; 745, Waste Land 

 and Wasted Land on Farms; 788, Windbreak as an Asset; 843, Important 

 Pecan Insects and Control; 1071, Making Woodland more Profitable in South; 

 1100, Marketing Woodland Products; 1177, Farm Woodland; 1184, Ginseng 

 Culture. 



The Farm Woodlot, by Cheyney, The MacmillanCo.; Farm Forestry, by 

 Ferguson, John Wiley & Son. 



