IN MEMORIAM, WILLIAM SOMERVILLE. 203 



In recognition of his notable services to horticulture in the state, 

 in 1898 Mr. Somerville was made an honorary life member of 

 the society. For some years he conducted a society experiment 

 station on his farm at Viola, where he had perhaps the largest collec- 

 tion of varieties of Russian apples in the state. For many years he 

 was one of the largest exhibitors in the fruit department at the 

 state fair, his presence there adding very much to the interest of the 

 horticultural department. The writer had the pleasure of meeting 

 him a number of times after he was unable to attend the annual 

 gatherings, the last time some three years since at Rochester, when 

 it seemed that his undaunted courage and tenacity of life would 

 give him yet many years with us. Mr. Somerville well served his 

 time and day. He is one of the few of that early time to whom we 

 are especially indebted for persistent service that is now bearing 

 large fruitage. — Secy. 



THE CHILD AND NATURE STUDY ON THE FARM. 



MRS. T. A. HOVERSTAD, DENNISON. 



Driving in the country one day our attention was attracted to 

 a meadow lark, one of the most common birds of our Minnesota 

 prairies. In our party was a young lady who had just returned 

 from her graduation at college. She made what was to me a most 

 significant inquiry, for she asked what the name of the bird was, 

 thereby showing an ignorance of bird knowledge. I pondered over 

 this many times. This young lady represents to us that large class 

 whose education is acquired through the medium of books to the 

 exclusion of the book of nature, which has to do with real and 

 living things. 



Another incident impressed me also. In conversation with a 

 young lady of our neighborhood reference was made to the pollina- 

 tion of cucumber blossoms by bees. We at once perceived that she 

 knew nothing of the subject of cross-pollination. She manifested so 

 much interest that we took the opportunity to explain the subject 

 to her. This young lady was reared in the country, and it shows 

 to us how we may live in the very atmosphere of nature and yet 

 have eyes shut and ears closed to the wonders and beauties that 

 surround us. 



There is an awakening in this line, for we hear much of nature 

 study in the educational world. In many city and village schools 

 a course of nature study is incorporated in their curriculum. How- 

 ever, as yet, the agitation has not ramified to the country schools to 

 any degree. 



