iv PREFACE 



need not feel that it is essential that every set of directions 

 should be carefully followed. There is, however, so little 

 dupHcation that all of the directions may be followed 

 without detriment to the pupil. The work should be espe- 

 cially valuable in connection with those schools that are 

 carrying out project methods with the home or school garden. 



The book is divided into five main parts treating respec- 

 tively Vegetable Crops, Flower Crops, Fruit Crops, Farm 

 Crops, and the Soil, its Origin and Improvement. It is by 

 no means necessary that this order should be followed. The 

 topics can readily be taken up in any other sequence, but 

 our experience indicates that the order here given is likely 

 to yield the most successful results and to fit in best with the 

 calendar of the school year. An exception may well be 

 made, however, in connection with the soil, and lessons on 

 this subject may be taken up at various times in connection 

 with some of the crops. 



The authors' desire is to place especial emphasis upon the 

 importance of having the pupils get a foundation of personal 

 observation in connection with each crop before they study 

 the text. By so doing, they come to the latter with knowledge 

 and experience which enables them to visualize the discussion 

 instead of merely learning so many words and phrases. In 

 this respect the book differs from most others and it is be- 

 lieved that for this reason it will yield more successful results 

 in real knowledge than is the case where the pupil simply 

 goes through a few observations as a supplement to the lessons 

 studied. 



