i^ATUKE Study. 171 



them is rather the result of their evil look and reputation, to- 

 gether with our ignorance in regard to their utility. 



Moles and skunks are also friends of the farmers which are 

 being exterminated through ignorance of their usefulness. A 

 study of their habits, food, etc., would furnish an interesting field 

 of observation and result in much benefit to the agriculturist. If 

 all these allies were protected as they should be, they would not 

 be obliged to spend so much time and hard-earned money on in- 

 sect poisons, etc., as they are now doing. 



-A clever teacher may take up nature study in our schools, with- 

 out its being an added recitation. To begin with make it a rest 

 exercise once or twice a week and give such subjects a wide range 

 of adaptability from the primary to the highest grades. Do not 

 stop during the winter months, there are always objects awaiting 

 our investigation. As soon as a genuine interest in nature study 

 is awakened in the children and teachers, you will be surprised 

 at how many interesting objects the pupils find to bring in for 

 study, and cabinets of plants^ insects, and minerals will be 

 formed, all which will be of benefit not only to the pupils, causing 

 them to take an interest in farm life such as they never had be- 

 fore, but interesting also to the parents who never had these 

 privileges, and to whom the child rehearses the new things he 

 has learned during the day. The book of nature once open to him, 

 the printed page will be more interesting and an appetite awak- 

 ened which wnll be satisfied only with wholesome food, and the 

 weak, harmful trash found on the news-stands, will be voluntarily 

 rejected. Over and above all, in this study of nature the student 

 will be led to see the marvelous symmetry and minuteness of 

 finish, in the very humblest of plants and animals and will be 

 constrained to love nature and reverence nature's God, thus 

 morally elevating and uplifting to nobler, higher aims. 



Let the farmers urge on and assist in every way possible that 

 the study of nature in our common schools may become popular. 

 When anything becomes popular we may look for success. Thus 

 we may easier obtain intelligent help. The farmer's boys and 

 girls will learn to love their home and farm life, the city have 



