The Naturc-Stiuiy Idea 239 



farmers do not appreciate all this, you must do 

 your work just the same, and wait. 



You certainly are not alone in feelin^^ that 

 you cannot carry the children much heyond the 

 printed lesson. As you say, these suhjccts are 

 so new that there has been no opportunity for 

 adequate training in them. I think that the 

 best teacher I ever had along these Hnes was a 

 woman who knew very httle about the subject- 

 matter itself, but who encouraged me, answered 

 my questions as best she could, and told me 

 frankly when I had found out more than she 

 knew. I judge, however, that you quite under- 

 estimate your own knowledge, else you would 

 not feel so keenly the responsibility of your 

 work. 



You can do a great deal outside the school 

 for your people. You can work through 

 farmers' organizations, attend farmers' insti- 

 tutes, help to organize boys' and girls' clubs, 

 reading clubs, help to put educational work in 

 the fairs, and in many other ways quicken the 

 rural life of your vicinity. 



