6 HISTORY OF I-ARM 



many of thcin will bear rc'itclilion with new materials, or in 

 new situations. li^aeh one includes a brief introductory 

 sUitcment to be read, and an outline of work to be i)CTf<)nned. 

 In all of them, it is the doing of the work outlined- not the 

 mere readin.i^ of the text— that will \-ield satisfactor\' educa- 

 tional results. 



The work of this course is not new. Mucli work of this 

 .sort has been done, and well done, as nature-stud>', in\arious 

 institutions at home and abroad. But here is an attempt to 

 intcj^atc it all, and to show its relation to the sources of our 

 livinj,'. So it is the natural history, not of the whole range of 

 things curious and interesting in the world, but of those things 

 that humankind has elected to deal with as a means of liveli- 

 hcx^d and of personal satisfaction in all ages. 



These are the tilings we have to live with: they are the 

 things we ha\'e to li\e b\-. They feed us and shelter us and 

 clothe us and wann us. They equip us with implements for 

 manifold tasks. They endow us with a thousand delicacies 

 aiul wholesome comforts. They unfold before us the cease- 

 less drama of the e\'cr-changing seasons — the informing 

 drama of life, of which we arc a part. And when, in our rude 

 fanning o])erations, we scar the face of nature to make fields 

 and houses and stock pens, they oiler us the means whereby, 

 though changed, to make it green and golden again— a fit 

 enviromnent wherein to dwell at peace. 



In the belief that an acquaintance with these things would 

 contribute to greater contentment in and enjoN'ment of the 

 farm surroundings and to a better rural life, this course was 

 yircpared. The original suggestion of it came from Director 

 L. H. Bailey of the New York State College of Agriculture. 

 It was first given in that college by me in cooperation with 

 Mrs. J. II. Comstock. To both these good naturalists, and 

 to all thos.' who ha\'e hel] ed me as assistants, I am greatly 

 indebted for valuable .suggestions. 



J.\.\Ii:S Ci. XliEDHAM. 



