Evening journal., 1914-07-16
NEWS OF THE BOY SCOUTS

or trimming light timber; or produce
an article of carpentry or cabinet
working or metal WORK made by him
self. Explain the method followed.
The use of the axe was explained in
the Second Glass lessons for the
sixth test. The caution we gave at
that time might be repeated now.
Never under any circumstances cut
any standing timber. living or dead.
without the express order of your
Scout Master. In this section of the
country it is pretty difficult TO find
the opportunity to cut standing tim
ber and II can not be too strongly
impressed upon all Scouts that they
must respect property rights In this
respect and moreover they should
feel an obligation to protect trees and
not injur them. The second part of
the requirement, therefore Is the
more usual test here OF course
skill in carpentry or wood or metal
working comes from experience and
can be gained by practice only. The
Scout should either get the instruc-
ticn of his Scout Master or of some
cne of skill who can assist him. II
might be suggested that the article
to be produced for inspection might
we'll be something that could be add
ed to the permanent equipment Of the
troop.
Then in the requirement is: Judge
distance, size. number, height and
weight within twenty-five per cent"
This is again a test requiring the
oLi1l raeuItine fro,,, ,..,,-,.s....- -
practice. In the lessons on map
making, we discussed the question Of
estimating distance. and told how to
learn distances by striding. Practice
in map making will give facility in
judging distances. Remember that
distances are apt to be underesti-
mated when looking over water or
level ground, and also when the gaze
is directed either upward or down
ward. A clear atmosphere produces
the same effect Distances are ant
to be Overestimated over uneven
country or when the object is in the
shade, or when the atmosphere is not
clear, either from mist or as a result
Of the heat rising from the ground
in summer. The same result Is
noted at twilight. Usually the mouth
and eyes of a man can be made out
at fifty yards, while at 100 wards
the eyes seem to be but points But
tons can be seen at 200 yards and a
mans face at 300. The movement of
the legs in walking or running can
be seen at 400 yards and the color OF
clothing at 500. Plenty of careful
practice Is needed to acquire any
readiness in estimating weights and
number. Practice as you walk along
the streets or in the country at esti-
mating both. distances and the num-
Der of objects in groups that you
encounter.
The tenth requirement deals with
natural history and is as follows
Describe fully from observation ten
species Of trees or plants, including
poison ivy, by their bark, leaves. fruit.
howers or scent; or six species of
wild birds by their plumage, notes.
tracks or habits; find the North Star
and name and describe at least three
consultations Of stars.
Note that this calls for a descrip-
ton from observation, not merely
from reading a description. Chan
ter Of the Scout Manual gives very
good natural history descriptions
which will be Of great assistance 10
you IN recognizing trees, plants and
when you go out to study them VIII
mington Scouts have particularly
good facilities for the study of botb
trees and animals. In Cool Snrine
Park, there is remarkable collec-
ton. of trees of many different species.
all properly labelled. so that you can
study them carefully and accurately
and soo1 gain a valuable knowledge
of their characteristics. This is A
much better way to learn than the
mere reading Of descriptions and will
make much more lasting impress
sion on your memory. The collection
OF animals in the Geological Garden
should be of great value to the Scout
Reference works on the subject NAV
also be consulted at the Wilmington
Institute Free Library This require.
ment calls for the knowledge of moi
son ivy which every Scout should he
able to recognize at once As for the
North Star, most Scouts know the
way to locate this. Find the Great
Dipper in the heavens. The two stars
forming the outer edge of the bowl
Of the dipper are known as the
Pointers" If you follow out the
line they make, you will find the
North Star or "Polaris" about five
times as far from the Pointers" as
is the distance between these two
stars themselves. The North Star is