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Show Woodland like this with abundant undergrowth provides maximum protection for the soil and an excellent habitat for wildlife. In 1977 we grew about 11 percent more sawtimber than we cut. Hardwood sawtimber growth exceeds harvest by about 70 percent. However, softwood removals exceed growth by less than 5 percent. But if all growing stock volume ( cubic foot volume in trees 5 inches in diameter at breast height and larger) is considered, growth of both softwood and hardwood growing stock exceeds removals. The Nation's timberland is owned by the forest industries; by county, State, and Federal governments; and by farmers, ranchers, businessmen, professional people, and many others. Seventy- two percent of our timberland is in private ownership. It is necessary that each owner see that trees are All you need for this activity is a pencil and paper. Or, if the class does it together, a blackboard and chalk. As an activity for individuals, give the students a list of common items they use every day. Ask each one to write down where the items came from and the steps along the way. As a class activity you can make a game with two sides competing. Select an item and let each group talk it over and see which can be first to trace the origin of the item. The answers might go something like this: Shoes- department store- shoe factory- tannery ( where leather is made from cowhides)- packing plant ( where animals are slaughtered) - stockyard ( where farmers bring their animals for properly managed and replaced as they are harvested. Nearly 400 million cords of pulpwood were required to meet all paper needs between 1980 and 1984 or an average of nearly 80 million cords a year. Another function of the forest- one of the most important- is to protect watersheds. The headwaters of nearly all the major rivers lie in forests. Good management of these forests is one way of protecting the source of water. Forests are homes for many kinds of wildlife- deer, bear, elk, beaver, and squirrels. Small woodlands are natural homes for such fur bearers as the skunk, opossum, mink, raccoon, fox, and weasel. One out of 3 acres of the entire United States is forest land. This totals about 736 million acres. Of this total 488 million acres is commercial forest land. Nearly 137 million acres of this is in various types of public ownership. To keep such a large acreage in continuous production requires enormous planting operations. If left alone long enough, most forests would replant themselves. But man cannot afford to wait and has, therefore, learned how to do the planting himself. Spacing of the trees is important. A spacing of 6 by 6 feet requires 1,210 trees an acre. Closer spacing requires more trees. If planted too thick, the trees either must be thinned later or allowed to thin themselves through crowding and stunting. But closely spaced trees cover the ground more completely during the early years after planting and stop erosion sooner. In a thick stand, wider choice can be allowed in thinning; if some of the trees die, the result is not so serious. Foresters estimate that about 26 million acres of commercial forest land in the United States are nonstocked and need planting if they are to become productive within a reasonable time. sale)- farm ( where the cow is produced)- corn, oats, hay, and other feeds which the cow eats ( grown on the farm)- soil where these crops are grown. Candy bar- store or vending machine- candy factory- Now break down into various ingredients: chocolate- chocolate bean- planation in Brazil- cocoa tree- soil. Sugar- sugar factory- plantation in Hawaii- sugarcane field- sugarcane- soil. Nuts- peanut distributor- field in Georgia- peanut plant- soil. Try others such as nylon and rayon for articles of clothing and synthetic rubber for an eraser. This may require the use of the encyclopedia but will turn up some interesting information. XIX. Trace the Origin of Things We Use 24 |