STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 8/ 



out in the woods and fields, where the things he is interested 

 in are all about him. His eyes are bright, his movements are 

 quick and alert. He is with Nature, and Nature's God has 

 given him those things which enable him to see and understand. 



He is not interested in his books and before he ever will be. 

 the teacher must show her interest in the things which appeal 

 to him. If he sees she cares for the things he knows and loves, 

 he will soon become interested in the lessons she is trying to 

 teach him. 



The boy in the other corner seat who always sits erect and has 

 a bright, attentive look is also glad to see the Nature Study 

 teacher, his interest in the things around him increases, and he 

 thinks more of the love and power of the Creator of all these 

 wonderful things. He is already interested in his studies and 

 does not need to be appealed to as does the dull boy. 



And so I say, Nature Study should be taught from the 

 Kindergarten up. It broadens the child's ideas and gives him 

 a greater desire for further knowledge. 



Only those whose hearts are close to Nature and whose ears 

 are ever ready and willing to hear and understand her many 

 voices can appreciate the joy of the botanist when he comes 

 upon a group of Mother Nature's children playfully hiding 

 behind some fallen tree or huge boulder. What is there more 

 pleasing on a warm summer day than a ramble in the woods 

 V\here the flowers are to be seen in their home dresses? How 

 restful and peaceful they look as the breeze gently sways their 

 frail forms to and fro. They seem to be talking to each other 

 and nodding their pretty heads in response to their neighbors' 

 questionings. How many of us when we stoop and pick one 

 of these little nature folk think that while we are only taking 

 one blossom out of God's garden for our pleasure, we are at 

 the same time preventing dozens of others from growing the 

 next year. But Mother Nature is always glad to give us pleas- 

 ure in our rambles and that is why she puts so many of her 

 children where we can see and love them. 



I do not believe there is any person, if he has any love at all 

 for the things of Nature, who does not have a feeling of humble 

 exultation when he comes unexpectedly upon a group of the 

 Lady's Slipper or Moccasin Flower, clustered in some remote 

 thicket. They have such a bashful, trustful look as they stand 



