WI TH UlTC LE SAIa' S MTU2ALI STS 



RELEASE: Friday, May 5, 1933 



FOR BR OADCA ST USE OKLY 



AmTOmTCELSNT; Now is our time with Uncle Sam's Naturalists of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture. Today we have a few suggestions about the woods 

 from one of our foresters. 



"Come forth into the ligiit of things, 

 Let nature he your teacher." 



So says the poet, and so says Extension Forester W.R, Mattoon of the 

 United States Forest Service. Only Mr. Mattoon says it in prose, and with 

 particular reference to the trees. 



Of course, some of us spend a good hit of time in the woods all the 

 year around. But I gaess more folks get the urge to get out into the v/oods 

 at this time of the year than most any other. Even people who are content to 

 sticlc around the house or stay in town at other times, seem to "be drawn toward 

 the woodland in the spring. Many of us don't get out for a good long stay in 

 the forest until well along into summer. In the spring, however, we get that 

 hankering to at least get out and explore • around a little in whatever wood we 

 Can reach. 



And Mr. Mattoon suggests that those who have little knowledge of wood- 

 craft nu^t do well to get better acquainted with the ways of the woods. In 

 fact, he says it is essential that our people know the importance azid value of 

 many forest tracts of small size thr.t make up our faxm woodlands. 



It is certainly a fascinating subject once you get into it. Folks who 

 are used to just drinking in the beauties of Nature without mach attention to 

 the details, mi^t start by getting acquainted with the different kinds of 

 trees. Learn to distinguish the different kinds of trees by some of their 

 well-moJfked chara,cteri sties of lea,f, and bark, and fruit, and seed, and cads 

 and tmg arrangement. 



Of course, everybody probably knows some of the trees in their local- 

 ity, but you will be surprised how many you pass up or don't really know, I 

 knov/ I wa,s. 



ITow that spring is coming up this way and the Txids are bursting, dcnH 

 forget the fl-wers of the forest trees. As Mr. Mattoon points out to me, the 

 flov/ers of our trees form a clock dial for the advancing year. So, as they 

 bloom in succession, note the blossoms of the willow, the maple, the elm, and 



