38 THE NATURE-STUDY REVIEW \s-.2-fbb., 1909 



The use of a text -book in the hands of pupils in grades below 

 the high school is not common. In many cases, a text-book is in 

 the hands of the teacher and lessons are presented in the form of 

 a familiar talk, often illustrated by simple experiments or easily 

 obtained illustrative material. Many schools also have books on 

 agriculture in the school library. Pupils are encouraged to 

 read these and look up assigned topics. About 50 per cent of 

 the counties use one or more of the various elementary texts now 

 common on the market. In several instances the work is con- 

 ducted from outlines issued by the county superintendent. 

 These usually aim to awaken interest in things of local importance 

 and then lead to things of wider consequence. 



The enthusiasm with which instruction in agriculture and 

 related nature-study is received by pupils and patrons is most 

 encouraging. In reply to the question : Is the work successful ? 

 7 5 per cent of those answering the question reply decidedly in the 

 affirmative, while but one county reports the work a failure and 

 that due to the overcrowded curriculum. Replying to the ques- 

 tion: Do patrons wish instruction in Agriculture given to their 

 children?, no negative replies were received and in only one case 

 was it reported that patrons had little interest in the matter. A 

 few extracts from replies may be of interest in showing the atti- 

 tude of patrons: "The work has been successful and patrons are 

 pleased with it." "The teaching of these subjects has been suc- 

 cessful and patrons want them taught in the schools." "The 

 work is successful. Patrons are not enthusiastic at first but 

 soon become so." "Parents invariably approve." "The teachers 

 report the work very successful. My observations have made 

 me think so. Talks with the boys and parents say so." "The 

 work is successful. The pupils, even the young ladies, enjoy it. 

 Patrons are highly pleased with it." 



The writer has talked with many teachers who have tried 

 teaching the subject, and he has not met a single one who con- 

 siders the work a failure and impracticable. 



