Nature-Study with Plants ^'j 



plant association — I wonder whether the botan- 

 ist does? — but the child can comprehend the 

 phenomena, and he will be interested in them 

 because they are so intimately associated with 

 him and are observable. 



There are those, again, who say that such 

 subjects as those suggested above do not prepare 

 the pupil to enter college. My reply is that 

 the elementary schools do not exist for the sake 

 of the college or the university. Those that 

 are to enter college are a small and special class, 

 and they may receive special instruction. 



I have spoken of the herbarium stage of 

 plant-study and have said that it is passing 

 away. It is perfectly possible, however, to 

 make herbaria without in any way lessening the 

 value of beginning plant-work (the rather in- 

 creasing its value), but the herbarium should 

 be a result of the work rather than constitute 

 the work itself. After the pupil has come to 

 know the dandelion or a plant society or the 

 flora of the neighborhood, he will do well to 

 make specimens; these specimens will be a part 

 of his records. 



