THE TEACHING OF AGRICULTURE 3 



which are newest to the class: the making of spray mix- 

 tures; the prevention of certain plant diseases; the raising 

 and use of special crops which should be grown, as, perhaps, 

 alfalfa, or certain clovers; the green-soiling methods of 

 feeding; use of catch crops and cover crops; the saving of 

 soil moisture. The best United States Farmers' Bulletins will 

 help you along these newer lines and will give you new points 

 on the old themes. Why? It is because the U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture and fifty or more agricultural experiment 

 stations are finding out new things in agriculture all the time. 



Farmers' Bulletins. — References to United States Farm- 

 ers' Bulletins are given at the close of the chapters. A com- 

 plete list of Farmers' Bulletins can be had by writing to the 

 Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Besides those 

 listed at the close of the chapters, there are others that will 

 be helpful in schools. Write for them. They are free to 

 schools. 



Make pasteboard holders for the Bulletins. Put labels 

 on these so that a simple classification will be possible. Label 

 them similar to the chapters in this book. 



How to Use the Bulletins. — Teachers will find the United 

 States Farmers' Bulletins very useful. Let us illustrate. No. 

 113, on ''The Apple and how to Grow it," shows clearly how 

 to graft fruit trees. It tells what to do and how to do it. 

 The pictures are simple and plain. Most of the Bulletins 

 are well illustrated and plainly written. Each of these 

 Bulletins has a special use in teaching some definite subject. 

 Have advanced pupils use the Bulletins as extra work, or 

 as supplementary reading. 



Time Saved. — If the objection is raised that there is no 

 room in the schedule — no time — for a new subject because 

 there are already too many subjects to teach, answer by 

 saying there is always room for a subject that will hold the 

 pupils' interest. Such subjects, if practical, are the best in 

 the school course. 



