30 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [7 :2— Feb., 1911 



fifteen thousand trees along one hundred and eighteen miles 

 of city streets. Confident that the children could be interested 

 in the work, the Secretary originated the idea of the Shade Tree 

 Protectors. The badge was struck off in February, 1909. Be- 

 fore beginning the work Mr. Bannwart blocked out the 

 campaign providing for means to awaken the children's interest, 

 direct the effort, systematize the work, instruct in class-room 

 and field and lay a sound basis for continued effective work. 

 So effective and well organized was the work that the hard- 

 working Secretary of the commission found that he had builded 

 all too well, and that the children, not content with what was out- 

 lined for them, in their innocent enthusiasm began to suggest 

 points to the Shade Tree Commission for the extension of its 

 already effective work. Truly these chickens fairly flew home to 

 roost, but nothing pleased the organizer of the League more than 

 just this evidence of the children's good faith. 



HOW IT WAS CARRIED ON 



Permission being obtained from the Board of Education, the 

 work started in eleven schools, a branch being formed in each. A 

 director, one of the regular teachers, was chosen in each school. 

 Her duties were light, however, the main work being done by the 

 Shade Tree representatives. 



A meeting was called, the children's interest aroused by a 

 talk from Mr. Bannwart upon what trees do for us, suggestions 

 made as to what we can do for the trees, and the Branch of the 

 Shade Tree Protectors organized. A name was selected such as 

 the Pioneers, Elm, Maple, Franklin or whatever seemed most 

 suitable. Officers were elected and a place and time fixed for the 

 next meeting. Each child was furnished with a leaflet, "What To 

 Do First" (see page 31) and a blank for him to write his report 

 upon for the next meeting. At the succeeding meeting the children 

 made their reports, another practical talk was given and a second 

 leaflet distributed, "What To Do Next" (see page 32). A fea- 

 ture of the second meeting was the giving out 

 of the badges (see cut) to those children 

 whose reports showed that by direct aid given 

 to the trees they had earned the badge. 



Each succeeding meeting gave opportun- 

 ity for reports but at the same time the child- 

 ren learned a few practical things on some one 

 subject, as "The Recognition of Injurious In- 

 sects", "Needs of the Street Trees", "How to Plant a Tree", 

 "How to Know the Trees", etc. 



