226 THE ADVENTURES OF A NATURE GUIDE 



Some years ago a lumber company endeavoured 

 to acquire a large block of timberland from the 

 Government. President Roosevelt, doubting either 

 the correctness of the representations of the com- 

 pany concerning the character of the timber, or 

 desiring to reserve the area, denied the application. 

 Later he re-opened the case and the manager of 

 the company came on for the final statement. 

 During the discussion the manager exhibited photo- 

 graphs alleged to be of the tract in question. 



The leading photograph was marked: "Engel- 

 mann spruce on southern slope of Granite Moun- 

 tain, altitude 7,000 feet." Roosevelt at once 

 asked concerning the accuracy of the legend. The 

 manager doubly assured him of its absolute ac- 

 curacy. Roosevelt knew spruce and other tree 

 habits and habitats in the locality represented, and 

 realized that the Engelmann spruce was found 

 mostly on cool northern not warm southern slopes, 

 and at an altitude of 9,000 feet or more, and not, 

 as the legend said, at 7,000 feet. 



People are made in their leisure hours. It is 

 insidious enemy propaganda which discourages the 

 best use of leisure hours — outdoor exercise — and 

 encourages indoor functions as the conventional 

 thing. Functions have been tried by many people 

 who have ceased to be fit, to have morale; and by 

 many a nation which no longer has a place in the 

 sun. 



