THE TEACHING OF AGRICULTURE 5 



All this should be done not solely for the sake of agricul- 

 ture, but for the sake of more interest in other subjects when 

 the agricultural matter is introduced. There is as much or 

 more cultural value in the teaching of a practical subject as 

 in teaching any other subject in the school course. 



Fig. 1. — Studying soils and potting plants. Graded school work in Virginia. 



Use the Exercises. — The practical exercises offered in this 

 book are simple and can be performed by pupils themselves 

 with a httle guidance. Pupils will be willing to supply the 

 necessary articles in most cases. The exercises add much to 

 the interest and also to the value of the work. The work 

 should be directly with things, handling them, reasoning 

 from them. Use also the exercises given in United States 

 Farmers' Bulletins 408, 409, 423, 428. 



Suit the subject considered to the season so far as con- 

 venient. Seed testing is a good exercise for early spring. 

 School garden work will come later. Do not fail to provide 

 window boxes. The pupils will do the work gladly, and in the 

 spring season fill them with germinating seeds and growing 

 plants. 



Teachers will find that agriculture will add a new interest 

 to the whole school work. Exhibits of the school garden pro- 



