Scouting, Volume 1, Number 11, September 15, 1913 Page: 1
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SCOUTING
Published semi-monthly by National Headquarters, Boy Scouts of America
For Scout Officials and Others Interested In Work for Boys
Vol. I.
NEW YORK, N. Y., SEPTEMBER 15, 1913
No. 11
FORESTERS SEEK AID
OF THE BOY SCOUTS.
Tree Census Work Undertaken in Inter-
esting Contest in Massachusetts.
MASSACHUSETTS Scouts are enlisted
in a State competition which has as-
sumed big proportions, but started
in a simple manner.
A " tree census" is the strenuous task
the boys have tackled. In different towns
and cities Scouts are busily canvassing their
own localities, listing the trees and getting
data concerning the species, health and gen-
eral appearance. A system of cards with
spaces for diagrams, statistics and other
information is in use. Pretty large con-
signment, this work of listing all the city
trees in Massachusetts! But the boys are
competing for prizes which will equip the
troops that win them for many months to
come.
The State Forestry Association has of-
fered three prizes—$6o, $50 and $40. The
boys may have the money or the equivalent
in trophies. No wonder that all over the
State they are hustling about with their
cards and pencils, preparing a sharp look-
out for all the facts they can glean about
tree health.
The idea for this competition was con-
ceived by officers of the Massachusetts For-
estry Association, but had it not been for a
letter from Scout Master Harry E. Farrer
of Lee, the work might very likely have
gone no further than an idea. In answer
to his letter, Harris A. Reynolds, of the
Massachusetts Forestry Association, wrote
him as follows:
If we could get the boys in each town to make
a tree census or a tree map of the city, it would
be of much interest to the entire community and
of value to those who wish to plant trees. If
your Scouts could be divided into sections and
each section would bring in data concerning the
trees with their location, size and kind on each
street, a map of the city could be made and
these trees located on it. I have thought some-
thing of offering a prize by this Association to the
organization of Boy Scouts who could furnish us
the best map and data concerning the trees in the
streets of their town. Kindly let me know what
you think of the idea and perhaps we can get to
gether on some general plan with which we can
cover the State.
Although his troop has been organized
only a few months, Mr. Farrer has led them
in several campaigns of public services. The
enterprise with which the Lee Scouts have
carried out their plans is shown by a letter
written them by the Governor of their
State:
Executive Chamber, State House,
Boston, Mass., August 6, 1913.
Mr. Harry E. Farrer,
Scout Master, Lee, Mass.:
My dear Sir—I have your recent letter in re-
gard to the Boy Scouts of East Lee and it seems
to me that your plan of having the boys co-operate
for the protection of our fish and game is an
excellent one. Moreover, your suggestion that
Massachusetts boys take part in the protection of
FISH AND GAME SCOUTS
HELP STATE OFFICIALS.
THEIR OFFICIAL BADGE.
In New Jersey the organization
of Boy Scouts into Fish and Game
Patrols is a new field of practical
co-operation with State authorities.
It has been given official recogni-
tion, and promises to be very bene-
ficial, both to fish and game protec-
tion and to the Scouts themselves.
The way in which these patrols
are organized and work will be de-
scribed in a later issue of Scouting.
our orchards as they are doing in New Jersey was
good.
I should be glad to help you in this enterprise,
but I believe you could secure the most effective
co-operation by placing your proposition before the
State Forester, Boston, whom you will find thor-
oughly in sympathy with all practical measures for
the protection of our trees.
Wishing you the best of success in all matters
relating to your Scouts, I am
Yours very truly,
(Signed) E. N. Foss.
The contest is a popular one, for as soon
as the entries were opened the troops of
about ten cities hastened to register.
Important Notice
In accordance with the new mem-
bership plan, from and after Oc-
tober 1st, 1913, all orders for badges
of any character or other equip-
ment restricted to the use of
Scouts, must contain the names
of the boys for whom the goods are
intended, in order that National
Headquarters may determine
whether they are in good standing
and entitled to receive the same.
NEW MEMBERSHIP
BLANKS PREPARED.
Will Be Sent in a Few Days to
All Scout Masters and Councils.
WITHIN the next few days a report and
re-registration blank will be sent
to every Scout Master now holding
a commission with a view to facilitating his
compliance with the membership plan,
which goes into effect October i. In cases
where a registration fee has been paid with-
in the last six months, or there is an un-
expired subscription to Boys' Life, proper
credit will be allowed. The resolutions
adopted at the annual meeting held last
February require that all Scout Masters re-
register each year. Action on this has been
deferred until this time, so as to obviate
confusion and reduce to a minimum the
work involved.
Much thought and care have been given in
the preparation of the blanks and the ques-
tions have been reduced to a minimum. In-
deed, the form has been so prepared that
any ordinary boy, acting as scout scribe or
troop secretary, can fill it in for the Scout
Master. The questions asked are of the
utmost importance to the Scout Master as
a troop record and to the National Head-
quarters in making up intelligent statements
as to Scout work.
For the convenience of the Scout Master,
duplicate copies of the form will be sent—
two copies where there is no Local Council,
one to be retained by the Scout Master and
the other sent direct to National Headquar-
ters; where there is a Local Council, three
copies will be sent to the Scout Master, who
should keep one record and send the other
two to the Scout Commissioner or Local
Council Secretary, who will retain one for
his files and transmit the other to National
Headquarters.
The blank provides the names and ad-
dresses of all members of the troop. This
is necessary in order to enable National
Headquarters to determine what Scouts are
in good standing and entitled to receive
badges or other equipment restricted to the
use of Scouts. Hereafter, all orders for
badges and such equipment must give the
names of the boys for whom the goods are
intended.
The new blank also provides for the rec-
ommendation of a Troop Committee, which
was so strongly urged at the last meeting
of Scout Commissioners and adopted by the
National Council at the February meeting.
(See Resolution No. 5.) Many troops al-
ready have such committees. They have
been found of great value in securing per-
manency to the Scout work. In case you
have none, it is urged that you secure one.
Three citizens whose residence or place of
(Continued on page 4)
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 1, Number 11, September 15, 1913, periodical, September 15, 1913; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282645/m1/1/: accessed April 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.