Mab., 1901] Kellerman — Competition in Botany. 73: 



Many of them unfortunately provide no means of identifying the 

 native plants as a part of a school course, but teachers are not left 

 without choice of a good book after sucli ultra ones are thrown out 

 of the list. 



The text of an elementary book on botany should cont in the 

 important facts and principles of the science, and give a brief but 

 comprehensive idea of tlie plant kingdom, in simple and plain lan- 

 guage. An intimation and partial elucidation of means and methods 

 employed to test or to verify the principles and inferences should be- 

 evident in tlie text. But this of itself is not sufficient for pedagogi- 

 cal purposes; tliere should be besides practical worlv provided, reg- 

 ular in time, ample in amount, that may train in the exercise of 

 observation, experimentation and judgment. 



I have for years devoted one-half the time of the botanical courses,, 

 both elementary t.nd advanced, to such real work carried on partly 

 in the labratory, partly in the field. Besides courses here referred 

 to others devoted wholly to laboratory, experimental or observa- 

 tional work are provided; but it is not my purpose to discuss these 

 now, Neither is it necessary to give here a detailed outline of the 

 practical work that should constitute a substantial portion of tlie 

 elementary work for beginners. Those who wish to use such a sim- 

 ple yet ample course in the public schools can consult the "Practical 

 Studies in Elementary Botany" published by Eldredge & Bro., Phila- 

 deljihia. Pa. 



But I desire to say in this connection that more real work on the 

 native flora than is attempted even by able and enthusiastic teacliers 

 in Ohio schools would undoubtedly be advisable. I have outlined 

 some competition work and submitted it to some of the schools look- 

 ing to more interest in elementary practical work in this science. 

 It has been urged that the project might be made more widely 

 known to our Ohio schools with possible advantage, and therefore I 

 have furnished, though with some misgivings, the following state- 

 ment of this scheme. 



Either of the following subjects may be selected: Mosses, 

 Lichens, or Trees; the work to conform to the suggestions and direc- 

 tions given below. The Report of the work must be completed on or 

 before May 15, 1901, and submitted to the Teacher of Botany, or per- 

 son (or persons) designated by him, who — taking into account both 

 the quality and quantity of the work — will forward, if worthy, the 

 best report accompanied by the illustrative material, to the under- 

 signed; whereupon the latter will, ea or before May 31, send as a 

 reward to the author of said report a^copy of the Ohio Naturalist 

 Vol. 1. 



Pupils now studying, or those who have formerly studied, botany 

 are eligible to enter the competition. No award will be made un- 

 less at least two or three pupils undertake the work; it is hoped that 

 every member of the class will comj)ete. 



