147 



A record should be kept of all the sowings, plantings, &c. of the 

 various crops, giving a section of the book to each. 



The teacher should endeavour to become acquainted with the ani- 

 mal, bird, and insect life of his neighbourhood and encourage the chil- 

 dren to ask questions about these and the wild plants and trees of the 

 district ; pointing out on every available occasion the various items of 

 interest that present themselves. 



Every teacher should be in possession of a copy of "Nature Teach- 

 ing," by Hon Francis Watts, F.S.C., F.C.S., to be obtained at the 

 Educational Supply Co., Kingston. 



ARBOR DAY. 



We* hope and we think that the offer of the Director of Public Gar- 

 dens to supply seedlings in bamboo pots of certain trees that he names 

 in the list we published on Monday, to any church, school or private 

 individual prepared to plant them out on Victoria or Empire Day, the 

 24th of next month, will be largely accepted in all parts of the island. 

 The offer includes the sending of the plants to the Parade Gardens 

 Kingston, or to any railway station, if applicants will state the num- 

 ber required. If sent by coistal steamer the cost of freight will be 

 charged. Applications will be attended to in the order of applications 

 but none can be attended to if received later than 13th May. If the 

 applications, as we hope, are to be numerous, there will be trouble 

 and disappointment among the dilatory people who from habit put off 

 applications to the last moment. The plants should all be at their 

 destinations days before the 24th and the 23rd should see the arrange- 

 ments for planting complete. Last year His Excellency the Governor 

 and the Education Department expressed the hope that Empire or 

 Victoria Day might be suitably observed by the schools, but the no- 

 tice came too late to have much effect. This year we expect that a 

 good deal will be done to keep step with the larger colonies in teach- 

 ing the children to " think imperially," by exercises such as Lord 

 Heath and others have been encouraging both in the United King- 

 dom and abroad on the 24th of May. 



If the teachers take up the matter zealously, they will make the 

 celebration a success. None know so well, as one of them has said 

 the value of name days and catch words. " Children possess an inhe- 

 rent love of the ideal and the noble, only needing something intelli- 

 gible to their child-nature to draw it forth. They have also an in- 

 stinctive longing for ceremony, so that by its means deep principles 

 may be readily impressed, and that, in the majority of cases, lastino-- 

 ly." If the managers join with the teachers, the celebration will be 

 enthusiastically and well carried through Loyal and patriotic son^s 

 recitations, and readings it will not be difficult to find. These pro- 

 perly prepared and arranged, with parents and friends of the children 

 present to ch er them on, will make the day a bright and memorable 

 one. The processsion to the spot, previously prepared for the planting 

 of the seedling or seedlings with appropriate exercises will heighten 

 the interest of the young people 8ir Daniel Morris has been doing 



* Reprinted from '• Gleaner." 21st April, 1904. 



