8i8 Rural School Leaflei. 



before destroying anything. No one can watch the English Sparrow 

 in winter without being impressed by the pluck and energy of the bit 

 of fluff that tries to get its living in the streets and in places where 

 it seems practically impossible. While sentiment should not stand in the 

 way of having the older children realize that the bird is a pest to the 

 country, they should be allowed to make their own discoveries as to 

 its character, life, and habits. 



Apples. — Almost everyone is interested in apple culture. There is 

 probably no fruit in this country used by a greater number of persons 

 than apples, and children should have an intelligent interest in this 

 topic. The lessons on this subject should not be " cut and dried," 

 but have live and definite interest. A good way is to have an apple 

 exhibit, even though you can secure but few apples. This will be 

 instructive for children either in the city or in the country. Let the 

 children prepare tlie exhibit themselves. Let them make effort to find 

 what apples are grown in the neighborhood and how many varieties 

 they can get. A few inexpensive prizes will give impetus to the enter- 

 prise. Encoiirage the parents to come to see the exhibit, and let 

 the children tell what they have learned about apples and apple 

 culture. If there is a successful fruit-grower in the neighborhood, ask 

 him to talk with the children about success in apple growing. Let 

 them hear the story of Appleseed John. 



House-fly. — At the request of many persons, physicians and others, 

 we are presenting an article on the house-fly. This insect is so danger- 

 ous, and it is manifestly so difficult for children to make original inves- 

 tigation of its habits, we feel that the facts should be given to all children 

 old enough to understand them.' The house-fly is a serious menace 

 to health. Any person who comprehends the full meaning of cleanliness 

 should feel his responsibility to infonn others of the uncleanly condi- 

 tions that must obtain wherever house-flies are found. 



Quotations. — It will be worth the while for children to memorize 

 some selections from nature literature each month. We shall try to 

 give a few quotations in the Leaflet but the teacher may have some 

 others that she will prefer to have the cliildren learn. For older pupils 

 selections from Burroughs or Thoreau might be committed to memory. 

 This will help to give children greater interest in the writings of 

 naturalists. 



