6 INTRODUCTORY. 



strong in you. the season will invite you the interests of the 

 children will guide you. ' 'Fifteen minutes a day", some one says. 

 Very well. Fifteen minutes spent each day in the close scrutiny 

 of some interesting object now a leaf, now a plant, a pebble, a 

 bird or an insects, with an occasional trip to a pond, or an orchard, 

 or to the park will bear a wondrous harvest. Behold how great 

 a matter a little fire kiddlethi And nothi.ig sets the hearts of boys 

 and girls on fire as does this natural study of natural things. 



"Follow the children home ask the parents what their children 

 talk about and you will find out how constantly the child mind 

 turns back to that which is to it the most real and interesting. "Cor- 

 relate" is a good pedagogical word. We hear a great deal about it. 

 What better common factor than Nature Study for the correlation 

 of the various branches we are called upon to teach? 



"A glass may be brimful of water, and yet we may gradually add 

 a spoonful of sugar and it will not run over. The teacher's daily 

 cup is full; but let her put in Nature Study gradually, quietly, 

 and it will sweeten the whole, and her cup will not run over." 



