NEWS NOTES 229 



C. H. Robison, 



State Normal School, 

 Montclair, New Jersey. 



C. H. Robison, State Normal School, Montclair, New Jersey, 

 spent a few days in Virginia during their Rural Life week. He 

 gave a lecture with slides explaining the growth and present status 

 of the agricultural movement in secondary schools, based on his 

 work in Bui. 6 of the Bureau of Education. He spent a period 

 with several classes talking on methods of using insect material in 

 nature-study and agricultural classes. Evening lectures on 

 Insects were also given. 



The Grand Rapids Nature-Study Society was organized in 

 September, 191 2. Much interest was manifested at the time of 

 organization and this spirit continued throughout the year. 



The evening programs included five addresses by men repre- 

 senting different nature-study interests. Those who favored us 

 were Dr. Otis W. Caldwell of Chicago University; Wm. E. Praeger, 

 Kalamazoo College; Walter A. Sperry, Grand Rapids; Henry 

 Oldys, Silver Springs, Md. ; and Dr. Leroy Harvey, Kalamazoo 

 Normal. Two general excursions were a delight to all who partici- 

 pated. The first, in October, conducted by Miss Frances Steams 

 was along the River Road to Belmont; the second to the Fish 

 Hatcheries in May, was conducted by Dr. Leroy Harvey. 



During this past year the membership consisted mainly of 

 teachers who wished to receive help on various phases of nature- 

 study. In order to accomplish practical results, sections for the 

 study of Plants, Insects, School Gardens, Physiography and Birds 

 were organized. A chairman was appointed for each section who 

 had attained some degree of proficiency in her subject. Members 

 had the privilege of joining one or more of these sections, each of 

 which met once a month for study. Many of these afternoon 

 meetings were a source of much pleasure and benefit. 



The Plant Section devoted most of its time to tree study, three 

 of the meetings being field excursions. The interest of the Insect 

 Section centered in the study of moths and butterflies. The chair- 

 man of the School Garden Section organized the first co-operative 

 School Garden in the city. For this a vacant lot was selected in a 

 neighborhood having within its radius several school buildings. 

 Fifteen boys responded from these different schools. Members 



