8 THE TEACHING BOTANIST 



theless, some of its characteristics are plain, and these 

 are embodied in the recommendations given in this 

 book, and particularly in the Outlines in Part II. 



It is easy to have ideals, hard to attain to them. 

 It is true there are few teachers capable of using 

 such an optimum course ; it is true that for many 

 schools it seems so vast in scope as to be unrealiza- 

 ble with actual conditions ; and the materials, appa- 

 ratus, and facilities appear hopelessly expensive. To 

 attempt to realize it everywhere at once would be 

 but to undertake an impossibility ; but present-day 

 conditions are rapidly removing the chief obstacles. 

 In some colleges, teachers are being trained who can 

 teach these different divisions of the subject, and 

 teach them well. Further, by a rigorous selection of 

 the most fundamental topics, by a correct correlation 

 of these so that they may throw light upon one 

 another, by the invention of experiments which, with 

 simple appliances, logically demonstrate leading prin- 

 ciples, by the finding out of those plants combining 

 the greatest illustrativeness with ease of acquisition, 

 by the use of the psychologically best methods, and 

 by other inventions aiming to secure greater efficiency 

 from the time, labor, and money expended ; by all 

 these may a great advance be made toward the Opti- 

 mum without proportionate cost. 



Naturally, these economies must be worked out by 

 those who have the best facilities and talents for them ; 



