7. Forests in public ownership are generally better managed than those 

 in private ownership. 



8. Forests can be used and kept continuously productive. 



Developing interest. — Interest in discussions may be aroused in various 

 ways. The following are suggested: 



1. Talk about the kinds of trees in the community. Lead the talk to 

 a consideration of climate as a factor determining where forests grow and 

 where different kinds of forests flourish. Bring out the point that condi- 

 tions good for tree growth are usually favorable for habitation of a region 

 by man. 



2. Ask someone what kind of wood is used in making baseball bats. 

 Does it make any difference where this wood grows? Ask whether a sub- 

 stitute for wood for ball bats would be satisfactory. If so, what might 

 it be? Why is there a difference between ash grown in New York and that 

 grown in Kentucky? 



Ash grown in New York and Pennsylvania is the principal wood used 

 in making bats for the big baseball leagues. The heavier Ohio and Ken- 

 tucky ash will not make up into bats light enough for the average batter, 

 who wants one that weighs not over 30 ounces. 



The ash is cured in a shed for about 2 years before it is turned into bats, 

 because it has to be thoroughly dried. If wet, it is too heavy and lifeless. 

 The factory is fortunate if 30 percent of the ash in a carload is suitable for 

 the best bats. The lower grade 70 percent is made into the cheaper bats. 



3. Discuss the ways in which the presence or absence of forests in the 

 county affects the way the people live. 



4. Discuss the following statements, using a map of the forests of the 

 United States: 



a. Thousands of towns and cities depend on forests for their domestic 



water supplies. 



b. Eighty-five percent of the water used to irrigate western farms 



comes from forested watersheds. 



c. More than one-third of the water-power resources of the country 



lie within the national forests. 



5. Raise the following questions for discussion: 



a. Who makes the most use of the forest, the uncivilized or the 



civilized man? 



b. If our forests were all destroyed, what forest benefit would be 



most missed? 



6. Visit some wood-using industry or a lumberyard. Trace the wood 

 supply by various transportation methods and routes to its various sources. 



7. Have someone write to the State forester for information about forest 

 conditions in the State. 



8. Have someone write for information on national forests in the State. 

 (See p. 36 for the address of your regional forester.) 



Where Do Forests Grow and Why? 



Man and trees. — Much the same conditions of moisture, temperature, and 

 soil determine where the greatest number of people and the greatest number 

 of trees may live. Regions of dense populations are often those where 



