Roosevelt High School - Bwana Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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EWEHH The ranger of the Ozark National Forest in making his rounds marks trees for logging. He weeds out trees much in the same manner that a gardener weeds his garden, as some trees are useless. There are weed trees that use up the soil and keep the useful trees from growing properly. There are some that grow so close to others that all are too crowded to grow properly and are, therefore, small. These trees are called wolf trees. The ranger must supervise the setting out of trees as planting too close tends to cause tall trunks of small diameter, and planting of trees too far apart tends to make short trunks covered with branches. The lumber from either of these two types of trees has a low market value. i'After the earth, the forest is the most useful natural resource available to man. It sustains and regulates streams, moderates wind velocity, beautifies the country, and safeguards against Hoods. A deeper study of our wood- lands would lead people to appreciate the value of the forest and also realize that the forest-ranger does much for the welfare of the country. JOHN MILOSEVICH I X! f FOREST PRAY R By cz green-shadowed pool of the creek, I sit, Humble, Come to seek The peace of soul tha! quiet waters give. Hold my soul in cool embrace Until Strengtlvened I can once more face The tangled skein of life I live. -Grace Lee Jones Term5 ' ' ',' ' lj 1 5 if vga Z ' e y X I f.-to f 4 X l Twenty-six

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EVJENEI feet will be produced under this system annually. As the forest overcomes the damage wrought by the years of mismanagement before the establishment of it as a national forest, the yearly output can be increased. The sale of timber brings in about 590,000 each year, part of which is used by the state for roads and schools and part by the Forest Service to carry out its work. Grazing is allowed, though controlled to prevent damage to the forest. The 20,000 head of cattle and 40,000 head of hogs that graze in this section during the summer months would, at fifty-six cents and forty-three cents a head respectively produce a revenue of 537,000 for roads and other purposes. ln the Ozark National Forest are two rivers, both of which are tributaries of the Mississippi, the White River and the Arkansas Riverg these are, in turn, fed by smaller streams. Without the protection of the forests and its fallen leaves, the soil would be eroded and robbed of its fertility. The rainfall is comparatively heavy, sufficient to cause irreparable damage to lands. Uncon- trolled, this water carries off the fertile soil and deposits it in rivers and blocks them. Trees can retard water in various ways. The leaves of all trees give off vapor. This the wind collects and condenses into water which later falls as rain. The leaves on the ground absorb much rain and permit it to soak into the earth instead of running off immediately to the rivers. Without this retardation, the water would run to the rivers and cause floods, which, in turn, cause food shortage and loss of money. ln winter, the trees keep the snow from melting. On the rivers and their tributaries about the forest are many hydro-electric plants for which, by this retardation, a steady stream is assured. The forest is valuable in many other ways. ln the forest is located a game preserve in which no hunting is allowed. The forest provides homes for birds and animals and protects them from cold. ln the Ozark region, as well as over the whole world, there are sand or earth dunes. These dunes ,ruin as much as eighty feet of land a year as it is unsuited for vegetation after the dune has passed. The forest holds back these dunes and helps restore to fertility those lands over which the dunes have passed, for the leaves from the trees fall to the ground and enrich the soil. The forests have a great effect on temperature. ln winter, they cut down wind velociy and prevent terrific snowstorms with the result that the winters in the Ozarks are comparatively warm. The ranger of the forest recommends places for the building of roads and trails and sections that should be kept open to the public as places of recreation. These parts are chosen for their beauty and their recreational facilities. Lookouts are provided to detect forest fires. The ranger establishes stations in which materials for fighting fires are kept. As a result of his knowledge of fire-fighting methods and with the aid of fire-combating materials, fires are destroying only a relatively small part of the forest. The ranger may also recommend game laws and regulations. Twenty-five

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ESWEHE AN ADVENTURE WITH AN OZARK BEAR Y desire to see Big Springs had at last been realized. In a cabin on the shore of the Current River, which claims the overflow from the Big Springs as its source, Bob, Ed, and I were enjoying our supper in the quiet of the Ozarks. The spirit of adventure had taken such possession of all three of us that we didn't linger long about our cabin supper table. A night hunt was planned. Boots, spotlights, guns, and coats were grabbed. We eagerly manned our large boat as we shoved off. A mile or two we floated down stream, when we spotted an opossum high in a tree. Immediately we went into action. Quietly we pulled in toward the bank. Out came our flashlights as we advanced over unknown ground. The opossum became the center of attention. Bob steadied the light on our prize, while I began climbing the tree. My rifle made the climb a real struggle. At a proper height, I released the safety and fired. Down fell the opossum to the ground. I went into reverse and slid down the tree to the ground. Suddenly screams and shrieks rent the air. To my astonishment Bob and Ed were rushing toward our boat without the opossum. Just as they reached the edge of the woods, I could discern the cause of their strange conduct. A bear was on their trail! Into the boat the boys plunged. Their boat moved out into the water. The bear stopped. Suddenly he remembered that a third boy was left at the tree. How I climbed that tree the second time I do not know. The bear returned with threatening growls, but, after a few moments, seemed to disappear into the woods. Again I slid down that tree, grabbed the opossum, and started on a run for the river. Suddenly I heard the pat, pat of footsteps behind me. I looked back. Yes, that bear was after me. I hastened my pace, and so did he. I won the race to the river, but no boat was there as a refuge. I yelled to Bob and Ed whom I saw rowing up the river. They couldn't hear me. I fired a shot. Yes, they stopped rowing. I yelled again. To my joy, they began to row back down toward me. Which would arrive first, I won- dered: the boys or the bear? With the aid of my flashlight, I made what advance I could up the shore. We'll save you,,' they shouted to encourage me. When they began to pull into the shore, I was about exhausted. At last there they were! I fell headlong into the boat. I don't know what became of the bear, for I didn't look to see. Perhaps he is still down in the Ozarks waiting for me. ROY EMERSON Term 3 Twenty-seven