Observation of Nature Recommended

Observation of Nature Recommended By Andrew Jenson, Assistant Church Historian THOSE who take outings with fathers and sons should en- deavor to make directed observation of their natural sur- roundings part of the program. Last summer at the outing of the Salt Lake stake, we had the opportunity of making a slight experiment in the value of this variation of the program. While hundreds were engaged in games on the open space in front of the wigwam, Dr. J. H. Paul, invited by them to relate Indian lore at the campfire, suggested that we saunter along the nature trail. It was just sunset, but the light was still fair. In thirty minutes we had proceeded less than two blocks, yet in that time we saw and learned enough to pay us for the entire journey into the canyon. We were first shown how birch and cottonwood trees along the stream have the power, by the manner of their growth, to delay floods and to render them harmless by intercepting the load of rocks and gravel carried by flood waters. The remark was made that birch trees should never be peeled or cut for any use, because of its slow growth and its great value in flood prevention. Of the cotton - woods it was said that they can readily be grown from slips if planted along canyon streams, and in twenty years would form an almost impossible barrier to floods from near-by hills. Herbs useful for medicine were pointed out — gum plant for arnica, sour dock for blood purifier. The chokecherry, elderberry, service berry, sugar maple, and bee plant — providers of food — were inspected or sampled; plants that follow overgrazing were shown, and differences between the firs and spruces demonstrated by in- spection of the white fir. Sandstone, limestone, and quartzite were exhibited, and plants that make soil from rocks were referred to when rocks covered with lichens, moss, and other plants were ob- served. In the maple groves the "pleasure in the pathless woods" spoken of by Byron, the quiet exhilaration of the walk into the silences away from the noisy crowds, the uplift from new knowledge, the opening of our eyes to wonders in the canyons unspoiled by the exploitations of mankind — all this in addition to much useful in- formation gained. This kind of knowledge we found the best suited of all to the real purposes of an outing into the canyons. Father-and-son groups should engage the services of someone who can take them along

748 IMPROVEMENT ERA July. 1919 the nature trail and explain the meaning and uses of the things en countered there. It was enjoyable to pitch horseshoes, play ball, and engage in races, games, and tugs of war; to surround the large campfire and listen to the harmonica contests and the Indian stories of early Utah life that were given to the assembly by Dr. Paul; but beyond and above all these rises the joy of discovery of new truth whenever we go afield and learn the secrets of the woods, the usefulness of insect life, the doings of birds, and the ways of the animals. Floods In view of the tremendous damage which is done at different times by the "Father of Waters," it is interesting to read of some other mighty sweeps of water, as handed down to us by historians of past ages: — An inundation of the sea in Lincolnshire, England, in 245, laid under water many thousands of acres. More than 400 families were drowned at Glasgow, Scotland, in 758. With a terrific sweep in 1634, the sea reached Bremen, Oldenberg, and other German towns, destroying upwards of 20,000 human beings. Freshet in the river Liffey at Dublin. Ireland, Nov. 12, 1787, caused immeasurable damage. From October 3 1 to November 4, 1 840, in France, the Saone poured its waters into the Rhone, broke its banks, covered 60,000 acres, and immersed a number of cities and villages. Six hundred and eighteen houses were carried away and many lives sacrificed. It was the first time in over a century that the Saone had risen so high. May 12, 1849, there was an inundation of the Mississippi at New Orleans, flooding 160 square miles and 1600 houses. — George D. Kirby. Our God, to Thee We Sing Our God, to Thee we sing, We honor Thee as king, Greatest of all. May Thy will now be done, Soon may Thy kingdom come, Established by Thy Son, Never to fall. Lord, send Thy snow-white dove, Emblem of all above, Pure love and peace, Turning all hearts to Thee. Nations and men agree, Peace reign o'er land and sea, Never to cease. Sandy, Utah Christ reign as King of kings, His voice o'er earth then rings Like radio, Setting His people free, Converted they shall be. When all His wounds they see, Their King they'll know. David Archibald