GEOGRAPHY AS IT IS I.EARNED. 157 



Thej^ have seen nothing but the words on the printed 

 page, and, as is natural, got the words mixed. 



Little better off are those who can recite glibly the words 

 of the book but who have seen nothing more. They make 

 a good showing before visitors and are marked high in 

 dail)' recitation. If their memories are good they will get 

 a good per cent in examinations, but they are not being 

 educated. 



A pupil recentl}' told me in recitation that the exports of 

 a certain section of x\frica included indigo and gums. Most 

 the class were ready to attest the same fact, and yet not 

 one had ever seen indigo, but few knew what it was used 

 for and not one had any idea what gums were found there. 

 One bo}' diffidently suggested spruce gum. The entire 

 class has now seen indigo, gum arable and gum myrrh, 

 along with copal, sandarac and crude rubber that come 

 from other sections. Without such knowledge, it is time 

 wasted to commit words to memor}'. It is not education. 

 Yet we teachers have wondered in the past why so many 

 pupils called geography drj-, and why all forget it so soon. 



The remedy lies along the lines of nature study and lab- 

 oratory methods so far as possible. Geography work in 

 the future i^ to be experience with things rather than 

 words. Knowledge is to be gained directl}- from speci- 

 mens and pictures, and then the printed page will mean 

 something. 



Humanity, delighting to behold 

 A fond reflection of her own decay, 

 Hath painted Winter like a traveller old, 

 Propped on a staff, and through the sullen day. 

 In hooded mantle limping o'er the plain, 

 As though his weakness were disturbed by pain ; 

 Or, if a juster fancy should allow 

 An undisputed symbol of command. 

 The chosen sceptre is a withered bough, 

 Infirmly grasped within a withered hand. 

 These emblems suit the helpless and forlorn ; 

 But might}^ Winter the device shall scorn. 



— IVot dsworth . 



