Home Nature-Study for Teachers. 73 



efforts, we have had requests for the work from 500 teachers in country 

 schools from all parts^of the'state. 



In order to make the work of real use to the farmers, the economic 

 phases of nature-study have been emphasized. We have offered the 

 following topics for study, all of them dealing directly with agriculture 

 and the needs of the farm. 



Bird Study. 



Learning the names of common birds, their food habits, and their 

 value to the farmer and orchardist. 



A study of the birds that winter here and their good work in the 

 forest and orchard. 



Where and how our common birds spend the winter; the reason for 

 the.migration of birds. 



A spring calendar of common birds, which shall include the story 

 of their nest-building and food of nestlings. 



The game laws of New York State as applied to birds. 



A knowledge of the Government publications on the relation of 

 birds to agriculture. 



Suggestions for using bird study as a help in language work and 

 geography. 



Plant Study. 



A knowledge of the wild flowers that blossom near the school 

 house in September and October, including their names and their 

 uses. 



The making of an interesting herbarium of all the plants in the 

 neighborhood of the school. 



The methods of seed distribution of 10 common weeds. 



A study of the common woodland flowers in spring, such as the 

 hepatica, adder's-tongue, Jack-in-the-pulpit, trillium, etc. 



The making of a wild-flower garden. 



Tree Study. 



Learning all the trees by name that grow within a mile of the 

 school house; a study of their fruits, leaves, bark, flowers and seeds. 



The common uses of the wood of the different species of trees. 



The relation of the trees to the soil and the water supply. 



The making of a tree herbarium. 



The value of forestry on the farm. 



Suggestions for using tree study as an aid in the teaching of geog- 

 raphy, history, language and drawing. 



