Autumn Along Virgin River

About their route. In fact of all the animals that visited the waterhole in a 24-hour period, they seemed on a "take it or leave it" basis and the slightest disturbance would make them wander away not to return until the following dusk. Four weeks of intimate observation of wild animals, absolutely dependent on water, open new and startling horizons along the line of nature education, which is the primary purpose of the Desert Museum. These normally wary creatures braved a spotlight which cast a beam for several hundred feet and walked into its rays until within eight feet of their worst enemy-man. On each succeeding night I could sense them becoming less wary, and midway in the study I could step from the blind and change flash bulbs while they held their ground 25 feet away. At the start of observation my slightest movement created a panic in their ranks, and sent them tearing across the desert until distance alone silenced their footsteps. On the third week, however, well over a dozen people visited the blind in groups of one, two, or three and talking was even carried on pitched well above a whisper. When such conversation failed to bother these wild animals a descrip-tive radio program originated on the spot and projected a picture for the listeners by picking up the crunch of footsteps, the gurgle of drinking and other sounds that have hertofore been heard by only a few patient people. The response was immediate and favorable, and one letter which stated "I would rather see a deer than eat one" pretty well voiced the views of all the writers. As news of this animal concentration spread, the museum began receiving requests for permission to watch or photograph. It became apparent to William H. Carr, Director of the Desert Museum and a naturalist with a knack for revolutionary ideas in outdoor education, that this interest must be satisfied. After a conference with Marvin Frost, museum photographer, and the author, plans were drawn for a more pretentious building on the site of the original celotex box. This new structure, which has been in operation for several months, combines practical photography with comfort. As the human occupants of the four swivel chairs watch through the sliding windows they are seeing wild animals living normal lives, entirely free to come and go as they please. It is a new and fantastic phase of nature education.

CAMP VERDE . . . Continued from page seven

Neighbors by making generous financial gifts to the town's welfare, including a substantial sum to assist in the building of a handsome new auditorium and gymnasium for the recently renovated and expanded high school.

Other stockmen and farmers cooperate with the high school by lending their stock and facilities for the use of the vocational agriculture course. The Wingfield Commercial Company participates in the course by allowing students to get practical experience in the handling, assembling and repair of tractors and other farm machinery in its farm equipment store.

Another community project which has recently been started for the common good is a cooperative cannery. Here the inexperienced may receive free competent instruction in food preservation, and the work of canning is lightened by the sharing of many hands. Here also surpluses of one product may be traded for another; Mrs. Smith has extra tomatoes and Mrs. Jones has extra beans; a trade prevents waste and helps balance the diet of both families.

In establishing and carrying on such enterprises, Camp Verde has relied primarily upon its own resources and initiative. But full use has been made also of the cooperative services and financial programs offered by the government. The county agricultural agent is an active and important man in Camp Verde; the U. S. Soil Conservation Service personnel are constantly called upon to help conserve and build up Camp Verde's basic resource, the soil; the Camp Verde Soil Conservation District raised the money to buy a splendid outfit of heavy earth moving equipment which is shared by all the members of the district in carrying out their conservation programs. A vocational agriculture course for war veterans set up under the G.I. Bill of Rights had sixteen members, all of whom have remained near Camp Verde to make a good life and living practicing the science of agriculture. 4H Clubs are active; the services of the County Home Demonstration agent are in constant demand.

In short, Camp Verdians have adopted a practical and self-respecting attitude toward government assistance. They figure the various agencies of the government are set up to help the citizen. But and it's a very important "but" to Camp Verdians-they are quietly and proudly determined that those agencies shall remain the servants of the citizens; they know a man ultimately must do his own thinking and his own work. With pioneer blood so fresh and strong in their veins, such thinking is not hard to understand.

It is not that Camp Verdians are living in the past. Oh, sure, the visitor probably will be shown the spot in the Wingfield store where Clint Wingfield and his partner, Mack Rogers, were shot down in cold blood by a typical