Earl Arnold, age 10, of Hull, que., Canada, For his question:

Is the Black forest of Germany populated?

The dark, velvety fir trees of the Black Forest spread miles through south western Germany. They climb up the hills and high mountains, crowd into the valleys and anchor their deep roots on the windy plateaus. They stand shyly around blue eyed lakes and bubbling springs of mineral waters. The Danube is born in this ancient forest and for 85 miles its trees fringe the banks of the Rhine.

People have populated the Black forest since before the dawn of history. Today, its trees are lumbered and carefully replanted. Some of its iron deposits are mined. Its mineral springs are health resorts. And the native Black foresters sill carry on their ancient crafts. They use their skilled hands to create cuckoo clocks and tricky wooden toys, musical instruments and fancy embroidery for their costumes  ¬just as the peop1e of the Black Forest have been doing for ages.