SUGGESTIONS TO TEA.CHERS. 



''T'^RUE teacliing reijnires activity ami nriuinal work on tlie pnrt of 

 i. the tt-arlicr. To rely mainly uj)on tlie text-book, and sinijily 

 n (j'liri,' pupils to commit to memory the statements of the text, is not 

 teachinjr. 



The aim should be to stimulate in the minds of pnj)ils the habit 

 of observing and thinking for themselves. 'J'lie text should simply 

 serve as a guide, or starting point, for the work of the class. 



This is particularly true of subjects related to the natural sciences, 

 like those of which the present work is com])osed. ]\Iany topics in 

 the text are necessarily treated with brevity, but it is ex])ected that 

 teachers will a\ail themselves of the o])2)ortunity to amjjlify and illus- 

 ti'ate them with familiar examples. 



The (juestions at the end of each chapter may be used for review 

 exeix'ises or for examinations. They may also be used in daily reci- 

 tations, but teachers will naturally ask many similar questions of 

 their own. 



The teaching will be rendered much more interesting and effectual 

 by the free use of object lessons and sim])le experiments. Those 

 who are accustomed to teach the natural sciences and ai-e sujiplied 

 with apparatus for the purpose, need no suggestions upon this point. 



The outfit of a chemical laboratory is not necessary, however, as 

 the ingenious teacher will find abundant means for the ])urpnse 

 within reach. Specimens of rocks, soils, and plants from the nitigh- 

 boring fields, pots of soil with a few varieties of seeds and of fer- 

 tilizers, for experiments in the growth of plants, a small quantity 

 of some conunon and familiar chemicals ])iirchased for a few cents of 

 the nearest apothecary, and a small microscope, either purchased or 

 borrowed for occasional use, are among the means available. 



It will serve a useful purpose, particularly with the older pupils, 

 to have at liand, for reference and comparison, other works on chem- 

 istry, geology, Y)hysical geography, botany, and agricultiu-e. 



The subject is naturally interesting, and. if wisely ])resented, can 

 not fail to afford eiijoymenl to Ijoth teacher and ])upils, and to }ield 

 satisfactory results, 

 (vi) 



