Boy Scouts and What They Do/Naturalist Section
The Naturalist Section.
It would be impossible to describe the exhibits in this section as a whole, but one sent by a young miner Scout from Penrhywfarteg, Ystradgynlais, Swansea Valley, may be taken as typical. There were quite a hundred samples of plants and flowers indexed with a thoroughness that left nothing to be suggested. A collier lad, one would imagine, has not much leisure or opportunity to couple a thorough course of botany with his ordinary work, yet this lad's specimens, each marked with its habitat, show that he has found time to wander round the hedgerows, woods, waste ground, old gardens, marshes, shady banks, and hay-fields in search of them. Here is a sample of his complete knowledge. The elder flower is given its botanical name—Sambucus nigra— and also its local name, Yscawen, whilst the familiar honeysuckle is shown botanically as "Lonicera Periclymenum," and locally as "Blodaur Mel," with the note that it makes a good ointment for skin diseases, which seems to prove that the Boy Scouts that go racing merrily over the open spaces of our cities are getting all the complete thrills that science can afford, as well as the joy of youth and the pleasure of a whole world waiting discovery. ◇◇
The Gentle Art.
The show, perhaps, that attracted more attention than any other was the boxing. Which was not surprising considering it was Birmingham!
There were many black eyes and bleeding noses to be seen, but it is all to the good as long as it helps to make the boys plucky and game.
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Fire Drill by the same Troop.
Their Fire-Engine and Hose-Carts
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The Blacksmiths at work at their forge.
"The material is there, also the keenness and the thorough spirit of sportsmanship, which prevails among the lads must influence in the best possible way amateur boxing. Intense rivalry is associated with the desire to win honourably, and, up to now. I can state conscientiously that in no single instance have I witnessed the slightest deviation from the true principles of fair play during the run of the Competitions at Bingley Hall."
There is one yarn that must be told before we leave this subject. A lady Scoutmaster wrote a letter to the Secretary, which he has. I believe, kept as one of those priceless possessions which come one's way but once in a lifetime. I forget the exact words, but it was somewhat as follows:
"I am pained and surprised to find that Scout who was in for the boxing competition, has returned with a black eye. Will you kindly tell me the umpire's name and address, and what he was doing when this happened?" ◇◇
Scout Cooks.
There was a neat little kitchen, with gas stoves and pots and pans, kettles and basins, and the like.
Every two hours a patrol of Scouts was turned loose, and, being provided with certain materials, proceeded to cook themselves a good square meal.
Hashes and stews, vegetables and pies, tarts and puddings, and all sorts of good things were turned out, and, what is more, they were all eaten! For when the meal was ready, the boys laid the table, and one of their number deftly "dished up," brought forward the various courses, and waited on his companions, all this being part of the work that has to be done correctly before the Scout can wear the little gridiron on his sleeve—the badge of the Cook. ◇◇
Blacksmiths.
In the Blacksmiths section was a little forge surrounded by anvil, hammers, and the usual paraphernalia of the smithy. All day long there was the musical ring of the hammer on the anvil, as sturdy Scouts, with turned-up sleeves and flushed faces, forged horseshoes and various other useful things, heedless of the sparks that flew out from the red-hot metal.
This is, indeed, a most useful craft for boys to have a knowledge of in addition to their own trade, especially for any who intend to go overseas later on.