ECEMBER, 1896, was the first issue of 

 the nature-study leaflets. Thirteen 



leaflets have now appeared. Voluntary- 

 requests for these publications have now 

 increased our mailing-list to 25,000 live 

 names. Most of these names are of teach- 

 ers in New York. In the State of New 

 York there are 29,000 teachers. 



Our entire movement in nature-study is for the benefit of the 

 children. We are now making an effort to reach them directly, 

 as well as through the teacher, the parent, the garden and the 

 flower-show. We have long had correspondence with many 

 children. Many thousands have applied to us for information on 

 the making of gardens and on various matters connected with 

 the common phenomena of nature ; but we are now inaugurating 

 a definite effort at the organization of nature-clubs amongst the 

 children of the State. 



The correspondence arising from this educational work has come 

 to be large. At present it averages over 1,200 letters a week. In 

 a twelve-month as many as 80,000 circular letters of instruction 

 have been sent to our correspondents. This personal correspon- 

 dence will increase. 



For these reasons we have adopted a new form of publication. 

 This Bulletin will be issued four times a year, and perhaps 

 more frequently. Bach issue will contain a nature-study lesson 

 for the teacher, and one for the children. Notes of instruction, 

 explanation and advice, and letters from friends of the move- 

 ment, will fill the remainder of the Bulletin. We desire to keep 

 in touch with every penson who has been connected with us. 

 This nature-study movement has grown to large proportions. 



