AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 893 



which are suitable for correlation respectively with nature study, arithmetic, 

 United States history, civics, physical jieography, coniniercial j,'oography, hotany, 

 woodworkinj: and agriculture. An appendix contains references to literature 

 suitable for use in connection with this work. 



The nature-study course, E. K. Downing (Xafiirc-Stidlij Rev., 3 (1907), 

 No. 7, pp. Wl-l'J.',). — An argument against the haphazard use of any material 

 that comes to hand for nature-study work. The author contends that only 

 such material should be utilized as appeals to the interest of the child and that 

 the child should be led to observe for a purpose. He believes that the average 

 course in science in high schools and even in colleges frequently fails to reach 

 its highest educational value because it is presented in such manner as to lack 

 dependent continuity with increasing complexity corresponding to the increas- 

 ing capacity of the student. He appeals therefore for the introduction of some 

 unifying element in nature-study work, for a theme which may be worked out 

 uniformly and still make use of dissimilar objects. The concept of evolution, 

 in his opinion, is one of the best around which to group nature teaching. 



Methods in nature study, E. R. Downing (Xftturc-Studi/ Rcr., 3 {1907), 

 No. 8, pp. 221-227). — In this discussion nature study is considered rather as a 

 new method in pedagogy than as a new study in the curriculum. Suggestions 

 are given for carrying out the problem method of study mentioned in the pre- 

 vious article. The author believes that the spirit of investigation and appre- 

 ciation rather than that of information is the prime desideratum in nature 

 study, and that while the lesson plan should " not be too rigidly adhered to, 

 yet elasticity must not degenerate into aimlessness." There should be an in- 

 tentional widening of the scope of the work and sufiicient plan in carrying 

 it out to make it the basis eventually for the solution of problems. 



The question of method in nature study, M, F. Guyer {Natiire-StiKhj Rev., 

 3 (1907), Xo. 8, pp. 228-235). — This is an outline and discussion which bases 

 method in the study of animals on the only two occupations which animals pur- 

 sue voluntarily, (1) to care for themselves and (2) to care for their offspring. 

 The purpose of an animal in caring for itself is said to be to secure food, self- 

 protection, and adjustment to physical surroundings. The writer also suggests 

 that plants may be studied under the same outline. 



Home nature-study course, Anna B. Comstock and J. W. Spencer (Home 

 Naiurc-iStudi/ Course [Cornell Univ., State Col. Agr.Ji, n. ser., .'/ (1907-8), No. 2, 

 pp. 23, figs. IJf). — Suggestions are given for the work of third-year pupils 

 as outlined in the Syllabus of Nature Study and Agriculture issued by the 

 New York State Education Department, There are G lessons on birds, 2 on 

 goats, 5 on pines, 3 on the Isabella Tiger moth, and 5 on the potato. 



Reading course in dairying, H. B. Wood (Country Gent., 72 (1907), Nos. 

 281,8, p. 817; 281,9, p. 839; 2850, p. 863; 2851, p. 887; 2852, p. 911; 2853, pp. 235, 

 236; 285.',, p. 959; 2855, p. 983; 2856, p. 1007; 2859, p. 1079).— This is a series of 

 articles on the general topic Principles of Practice in Dairying, The subdi- 

 visions of this topic are why milk turns sour, why mangers are harmful, how 

 to build a barn, where pasteurizing fails, the Babcock test and its use, the use 

 of starters, the fat percentage, water supply and drainage, and the disposal of 

 sewage. 



Organization lists of the agricultural colleges and experiment stations in 

 the United States (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Office E.vpt. Htus. Bui. 197, pp. 108). 



