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will be patcliy. Then we shall wait for the first vision of the robin 

 and for the " disembodied voice " of the bluebird. Then will come 

 the epidemic of '' spring fever." The disease is " catching." 



Try to direct the spring energies of the pupil into resourceful 

 lines of work. Be prepared for the " burst of spring." Look up 

 questions of birds, bird houses, aquariums and breeding- cages. 

 Always connect the schoolroom observations with the things as tliey 

 exist in the fields. Whenever possible, begin the observations in 

 the field rather than in the house. We shall be glad to give 

 suggestions. 



With the return of the spring enthusiasm is the time to push the 

 organization of Junior IS^aturalist Clubs. Have you organized clubs 

 in your grades ? You will find that the clubs will aid you in main- 

 taining interest and discipline in the regular scliool work. We will 

 attend to all the detail of the correspondence, and thereby relieve 

 you of any feeling of responsibility. If you contemplate organ- 

 izing a club, write us for particulars and instructions. In the State 

 of Kew Yerk there is no expense to either teachers or pupils. 



•H- v5- v5- 



We desire to keep in the closest possible touch with our many 

 thousand teachers. If you have attempted any nature-study work, 

 we should like to know what your successes and failures have been. 

 Tell us what subjects you find to be the best for your conditions. 

 Mention the ages of the children. 



* ^ * 

 We hope that at some time you have studied twigs. See our 

 leaflet on " Four Apple Twigs." The winter twig records an aston- 

 ishing range of history. If your pupils have studied twigs in the 

 schoolroom, it is then a good plan to assign each one a twig on a 

 tree or bush. Allow the twig to remain on its plant, label it, and 

 then let the children watch it as the buds swell and the leaves come 

 out. On the first warm day, let them make a drawing and descrip- 

 tion of the twig while it is still in its winter dress. 



L. H. BAILEY, Chief of Bureau of Nature- Study. 



JOHN W. SPENCEE, Deputy Chief 



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