SCIENCE AND EDUCATION 69 
THE NEED OF EARTH SCIENCES IN THE 
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
R. D. Sauispury, UNiversiry or CHICAGO 
1. VOCATIONAL BEARINGS (ABSTRACT ONLY) 
This paper discussed the bearing of earth sciences on the 
many vocations in which knowledge of the earth plays an im- 
portant part. The value of the knowledge of geology to farm- 
ing, mining, oil production, and all industries concerned with 
the production of building materials and road “metal”, was 
pointed out. A large proportion of the active men of our 
country are engaged in industries which have to do with soils, 
ores, fuels, and structural materials. In view of this great fact, 
it clearly is not right that boys be placed under a heavy handi- 
cap at the outset, by having the knowledge which affects their 
future productivity, withheld from them. Manifestly they 
should have a chance to gain the knowledge which will stand 
them in good stead, in all their future work. 
In commercial life, knowledge of geography is as important 
as knowledge of geology. Where commodities are, where they 
are or are to be needed, how they are to be transported from the 
one place to the other, are primary matters of geography and 
fundamental matters in commerce. The location of power, of 
fuel, of raw materials, are parts of geography, and knowledge 
of them is a part of the equipment of every successful factory. 
These are but illustrations of the general fact that knowledge 
of geology and geography is of vital importance to the indus- 
trial life of most men. This being the fact, public schools can- 
not justify their action, if they do not make adequate provision 
for these subjects. . | 
2. NON-VOCATIONAL ASPECTS 
There is quite another aspect to geology, which does not con- 
cern itself immediately with income or with industry. The 
study involves the contemplation of things which are enlarging 
and ennobling, in a spiritual sense. No education which leaves 
out training of the imagination is properly enlarging or en- 
nobling; and where, outside of science, is there such opportu- 
