ation of the wood does not explain why a particular piece
is tougher, stronger or of darker color than another piece of the
same species or even of the same tree. The reason for these special
differences lies in the fact that wood is not a homogeneous material
like metal. Within the same tree different parts vary in quality.
The heartwood is generally heavier and of deeper color than the
sapwood. The butt is superior to the top wood, and the manner in
which the wood was sawed and dried will affect its quality. Knots,
splits, checks, and discoloration due to incipient decay are defects
worth considering. Wood that looks lusterless is usually defective,
because the lack of luster is generally due to disease. Woods that
are hard wear best. Hardness can be determined readily by striking
the wood with a hammer and noting the sound produced. A clear,
ringing sound is a sign of hardness. The strength of a piece of wood
can be judged by its weight after it is well dried. Heavy woods are
usually strong. A large amount of late wood is an indication of
strength and the production of a clear sound when struck with a
hammer is also an evidence of strength.

CHAPTER IX

AN OUTDOOR LESSON ON TREES

The importance of nature study in the training of the child is now well
recognized. The influences of such study from the hygienic, moral and
aesthetic point of view are far reaching and cannot be expressed in
dollars and cents. In his association with nature, the child is led to
observe more closely and to know and to be fond of what is truly
beautiful in life--beautiful surroundings, beautiful thoughts and
beautiful deeds. He is inspired with reverence for law, order and truth
because he sees it constantly reflected in all works of nature. The
social instinct is highly developed and even the parents are often
bettered through the agency of their children.

The only way, however, to study nature--especially plants--is to study
it out of doors. Our present tendency to gather in cities demands the
upbuilding influences of trips into the open in order to equip the child
mentally and physically to face the world and its work with the strength
and tenacity characteristic of the country-bred. Moreover, the study of
objects rather than books is an axiom in modern education and here, too,
we can readily see that the best way to study trees is to take the pupil
to the t