The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-03-07

delightfully."- entertained Thursday
evening at the home OF Mrs. Alex
Fox. The program chairman. Mrs
Earl Studt. introduced the speaker
Tor the evening. Miss Martha Cur.
It's, OF the natural science depart
ment OF Michigan State Normal
College. Miss Curtis splendid dis
cussion of Teaching Conservation
stimulated great interest in the sub
ject and met with enthusiastic re-
Spouse.
Miss Curtis defined conservation
as a way OF thinking about, manag.
ing and using the things OF nature
so that they may be of the greatest
good for the greatest number OF
people for the longest time.
The speaker said that a survey
OF resources would include: rocks
and minerals, soils, water, fire
wild flowers and plants. trees, in
sects, birds animals, scenic and
historical resources, and human
conservation.
Little children can be taught the
idea OF the rights of others. that
the things OF nature are beautiful,
that birds can be friends, and flow
ers enjoyed without always being
picked. In the pre-school and early
elementary years foundation can
be laid for good conservation atti-
tudes. As the child grows he can
have more and more direct contact
with the things OF nature, with his
pets, and in his camp life. Not until
late high school years does the child
begin to feel the true altruistic side
Of conservation, she said.
The speaker discussed each OF
the resources, giving interesting
facts and examples concerning
each. aluminium is extensively used.
and one should be very careful OF
It. Silver and gold are rather linn
tied. but not so extensively used.
The petroleum supply, according
TO reliable source, will be exhaust.
ed in about 100 years. II used as 1t
is now, and no new wells found
Soils are most fundamental
resource. II takes 100000 to TO-
100000 years to make one foot of
top soil. One Of the biggest prob.
lens is soil erosion. Much is being
done to combat erosion; reforesta.
ton, crop rotation, strip farming.
terracing, sodding, and building
dams across gullies. Many OF these
interesting aids to soil conservation
can be pointed out TO children, she
said.
Water is very necessary re.
source. To produce one pound Of
meat. 10000 to $4,000 pounds Of
water are required. A person weigh
ing $50 pounds requires 1000
pounds OF water year as food and
drink. The serious problem in water
conservation Is pollution.
Michigan is one OF the richest of
all the states in forests. Probably
half OF its acreage will always be
clothed with forests, which will
make 1t continue as great recrca'
ton and tourist center. The speak.
er stressed the importance of try.
ing to preserve the natural habitat
areas, questioning the wisdom OF
draining swamp to get few
acres of land to till, and thereby
losing plants, birds and animals
whose natural habitat was the
swamp.
Reasons for the great decline OF
wild life are: drainage, settling in
communities, cutting trees, ditching
swamps, oil pollution OF water. over
trapping, and lack OF food. One may
expect better times ahead as to
wild life. Miss Curtis said. because
there are now so many people and
agencies interested.
Turning to the subject OF scenic
and historical resources, Miss Cur
tbs opened a delightful field o. 10.
terest for children In suggesting
hobbies OF discovering the wealth
OF historic material in Ypsilanti.
Parents can help the child to real
lie that old things are important.
and will some day have historical
value. The speaker pointed out
some Of the fine old homes. She
then told what fascinating study
could be made OF the famous old
trees in Michigan. Examples Of
these are the Marshall oak, the
Jackson famous Republican oaks,
the Father Marquette white oak
near Ludingtop. and Indian trail
marker trees In this vicinity. There
are probably as many. il not more,
historical trees in Michigan than
has any other state, she said.
Finally, the human resource must