FORESTRY FOR 4-H CLUBS 3 



Illustrative Material 



The proper use of illustrative material will arouse interest in the subject being 

 discussed and greatly aid in presenting the information. A good collection of 

 illustrative material should be provided and kept available for use. Illustrations 

 can sometimes be obtained from bulletins, books, and other publications. Pic- 

 tures that show the relation in size of crown and trunk of a typical tree growing 

 in the open and a tree growing in a close stand illustrate important facts. 



Drawings of the cross section of a tree trunk showing how the tree increases in 

 size by a new ring of growth each year stimulate interest. Four-H Club members 

 may collect leaf specimens of trees of the district and mount them on cardboard 

 after pressing and drying the leaves. Samples of different kinds of wood obtained 

 locally from trees of uniform size may be mounted on boards or in frames or racks. 

 The various specimens of woods may be classified and mounted by groups, such 

 as hardwoods, softwoods, or oaks, maples, and pines. Charts showing the rela- 

 tive importance and uses of the most abundant woods should be made. 



Lantern slides showing important facts about forestry should be used in con- 

 nection with certain topics. The Extension Service, United States Department 

 of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, has available slide sets and film strips per- 

 taining to forestry. 



Community Survey 



The best way to judge the interest of the local people in forestry is through a 

 community survey in which 4— H Club members may assist in assembling impor- 

 tant information about woodlands and forests in the locality. This first-hand 

 knowledge of the community's interest should be valuable in the local study of 

 farm woodlands. The survey should be educational and planned to determine 

 the kind of woodland, whether hardwood, conifer, or mixed type, and the impor- 

 tant species of trees in the forest or woodlands. It is important to make records 

 of their abundance, their use and commercial value, the leading rough timber 

 products that have been sold, and the prices received. 



On a map of the township, perhaps one drawn by the 4-H Club members, the 

 homes and farms of the different families should be indicated. The acreage of 

 each farm, the number and location of the buildings, and a sketch of the wood- 

 lands should be included. 



The Project 



The project method of study has gained wide recognition in recent years. There 

 can be no doubt that the intelligent use of the project aids in motivation. An ad- 

 vantage claimed for the project method is that it gives a better understanding of 

 subject matter and develops a better plan of reasoning. 



It is generally agreed that instruction in agriculture should follow certain 

 definite lines: (1) It should be seasonal. (2) It should be local in its interests and 

 development. (3) It should meet the interest of the young people. (4) It should 

 be practical. The project plan affords the best means of meeting these conditious, 

 especially the practical. Through the 4-H Forestry or some other project the club 

 member works out for himself the principles and theories he has been taught. 



The term "project" has been generally applied to instruction in agriculture 

 below the college level. It includes each of the following requisites: (1) A plan for 

 work at home covering a season more or less extended. (2) A problem more or less 



