Inquiries and Answers 217 



actualities. He gathers materials that are his 

 own and that become a part of his capital 

 throughout life. He comes to his own con- 

 clusions and to think for himself, not merely 

 to absorb his knowledge and opinions from 

 teachers and books. In later life he may never 

 have another opportunity to secure this actual 

 experience. 



I wonder how many persons ever saw the sun 

 rise ? 



Will not this nature-study work interfere with 

 school discipline? 



That all depends on what you mean by "dis- 

 cipline." If you mean perfect "order," the child 

 sitting erect with clasped hands, then nature- 

 study work may annoy you. If you mean 

 only that the child is well-behaved, obedient 

 and happy, then no ill result should come from 

 the nature-study effort. Nature-study should 

 supply some of the "busy work" between the 

 regular periods. The best means to secure good 

 discipline is to keep the child busy and inter- 

 ested. "Discipline" is then a result. 



