AGRTCtTLTURAT. EDUCATTOlSr. 1091 



each OH the snowdrop and crocus, and 3 on the lienilock. A list of books referred 

 to in the lessons of the home nature-study course, 1907-8, is api^ended. 



[Lessons in elementary agriculture] (Cornell [Univ., State Col. Agr.], Rural 

 School Leaflet, 1 (IDOS). X„. .7. pp. 65-76, figs. 6).— This number contains, in 

 addition to a foreword to the teacher on the use of the leaflet, the following 

 lessons: Proportions of a Horse, by M. W. Harper; Plant Food, by G. F. Warren ; 

 Practical Exercises on Feathers, by J. E. Rice; Lessons in Dniryinij and Some 

 New York Dairy Statistics, by K. A. I'earson. 



An elementary laboratory study in crops, J. A. Jeffery (Mich. State Supt, 

 Pub. I list r. Jiul. J6, pp. 28, figs. N) — This is a series of 15 crop studies prepared 

 by the professor of agronomy at the Michigan Agricultural College for use in 

 the public schools in connection with a text-book. The exercises begin with 

 studies of germination, and are followed by studies of seedlings, food stored in 

 seetls, depth of i)lanting, vitality of seed as affected by age, temperature, etc., 

 and practical means of testing seed corn. The lessons are accompanied by di- 

 rections for judging corn and a score card. 



An elementary laboratory study in soils for the schools of Michig'an, 

 J. A. Jeffery (Mich. State Supt. Pub. Imtr. Bui. 27, pp. 36, figs. 12). — This 

 bulletin is intended for pupils in the public schools and the exercises are out- 

 lined with a view to enabling the pupil to acquire experimental knowledge of 

 the bearing of the study of soils upon farm practice and to illustrate or confirm 

 knowledge gained through text-books or observation. The exercises are in- 

 tended to illusti-ate specific gravity of soils, pore space in soils, their weight, 

 water-holding power, moisture losses, the effects of mulches, puddling, organic 

 matter and sandy material in soils upon retention of moisture, and the tem- 

 pei'ature of soils. 



The soil: With reference to fertility and moisture, J. T. Willard {Indus- 

 trialist, Agr. Ed. Ser., 1 {1908), No. 1, pp. 15, fig. i).— This is the first of a 

 series of pamphlets intended for the teachers of Kansas to give the work of 

 agricultural education a scientific basis. The soil is discussed with particular 

 reference to fertility and moisture, and some attention is given to the origin 

 and formation of soils, kinds of soil, the chemical elements of fertility, the 

 maintenance of fertility, humus, nitrification, soil water, and dry farming. 



How plants feed and grow {Industrialist, Agr. Ed. Ser., 1 {1908), No. 2, 

 pp. 32). — This subject is discusseil in two parts. (1) How plants feed, by J. 

 T. Willard, deals with the absorption and use of water in plants and the sources 

 and uses of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and mineral matter. (2) How plants 

 grow, by G. F. Freeman, discusses the seed and its parts, germination, growth, 

 the functions of stem, buds and flowers, the fertilization of flowers, the produc- 

 tion of fruit, and vegetative reproduction. 



Tree culture, A. Dickens {Industrialist, Agr. Ed. Ser., 1 (1908), No. If, pp. 

 79, figs. 12, dgm. 1). — This number of the agricultural education series is 

 devoted to farm forestry, dealing with the effect of trees on soil and climate, 

 the value of trees, utilizing waste lands by growing trees upon them, the use 

 of trees for shade and ornament, and notes on the best deciduous species to 

 use for fuel, posts, and general planting, evergreens, fruit trees, the prepara- 

 tion of soil, propagation of forest trees from seeds, buds, cuttings, and grafts, 

 transplanting, i)runing, spraying, and cultivation. 



Outline of a course of study and reading on types and breeds of farm 

 animals, C. S. Plumb {Ohio State (iraiige Ed. Bui. [3], pp. 6-9). — A course of 

 study prepared for members of the Ohio State Grange, consisting of ir> lessons 

 based on Types and Breeds of Farm Animals by the author. 



