FORESTRY LESSON'S ON HOME WOODLANDS 9 



While you have been getting acquainted with your trees, you 

 have learned that they prefer certain localities ; you have found the 

 willow by the stream, the yellow or tulip poplar in the valley, the 

 red oak on the higher ground, for one needs much moisture in its 

 soil while another will grow in a drier situation. You have dis- 

 covered that certain trees " hobnob " together because of similar re- 

 quirements for soil, moisture, and light. In this way you will learn 

 to group your trees into forest types when you begin your practical 

 work as the forester of your home woodland. 



Correlations. — Drawing: Sketch the different types of trees in 

 the district; make drawings or tracings of the different shaped 

 leaves. Mount these drawings and file with other illustrative 

 material. 



Language : An account of a field trip carefully written will make 

 a good English exercise. A tree booklet describing the different 

 types of trees, telling where they are found, some of their charac- 

 teristics and uses, illustrated by original drawings and neatly bound 

 Avith an attractive cover page, will furnish an excellent drill both 

 in language and in drawing. 



Topic II. PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF WOODS 



Aim. — To teach how the forest or woods conserve soil moisture, 

 check erosion, and modify temperature. 



Sources of information. — Farmers' Bulletins 173 and 1071; Cir- 

 cular 19 ; Forests and Water in the Light of Scientific Investigation. 

 (Forest Service Circular) ; publications of State forestry agencies or 

 departments. 



Illustrative material. — The best illustrative material will be found 

 in a field trip to the woods and field. Actual examples of the effect 

 of the trees on woods can be pointed out. If a field trip is not prac- 

 ticable, illustrations may be clipped from papers and magazines 

 showing the erosion on unprotected hillsides and the use of trees as 

 shelters in pastures and about the farm buildings. 



Guides to study. — With an acquaintance formed with the different 

 species of trees, it will be worth while to learn their value both as in- 

 dividual trees and associated together in woodlands. 



Timber or wood products : Trees, grouped according to their value 

 for wood or timber. (This is expanded in Topic IX.) 



How a forest cover conserves the water from rainfall or melting 

 snow. (Fig. 4.) 



Flow of streams from open and from forested land; seepage and 

 springs. Protecting watersheds of city reservoirs and headquarters 

 of large streams from erosion and floods. State and municipal 

 forests. The 159,000,000 acres of Government national forests held 

 for protection of watersheds and streams and for a permanent tim- 

 ber supply. Private owners hold four-fifths of the total standing 

 timber in the United States. 



How trees protect the soil against erosion and the formation of 

 gullies on steep slopes. (Fig. 5.) Examples of local hillsides and 

 regions of the United States. 



Effect of woods as shelter against hot dry winds and cold winds 

 for growing grain and fruit crops, livestock, and the farm home. 



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