70 NATURE STUDY REVIEW [10:2— Feb., 1914 



brief introduction shows with apt statistics that the days of the 

 pioneer, the land farmer, and the exploiter are passing; the 

 husbandman is due, the man who knows the science of cultiva- 

 tion, of farm management and the art of marketing. It is the 

 task of the rural school to produce him. Chapter II deals with 

 "The Community Survey." This is not a discussion of how it 

 should be done but a tale of how it is done with abundant data 

 from actual surveys. Chapter III, on "The Health of the Child- 

 ren," urges medical inspection in rural schools. The next chapter 

 discusses "School Government and the Course of Study." It sug- 

 gests a surv^ey of the mental abilities of the pupils, of their social 

 attitudes and management by a measure of self government." 

 "The best schools are basing their entire discipline and instruction 

 upon the unformulated social wisdom which the children bring 

 with them to the school." Methods at the Experimental Rural 

 School at Rock Hill, S. C. are described as the principle just stated 

 is receiving a thorough test there. The Widening Outlook, Chap. 

 V, gives a number of instances in which domestic science and 

 elementary agriculture have been added to the niral curriculimi. 

 Chapters VI and VII are on "Demonstration Woik" and are 

 among the best in the book. Then follow chapters on The 

 School Plant; Neglected Factors; Consolidation; Transporta- 

 tion; The Teacher, the Citizen Maker; First Aid; The Country 

 Superintendent; The State Superintendent. 



The book is crammed full of information. It is pervaded by a 

 sane philosophy of life. It has many admirable bits for the nature 

 study enthusiast. Here is such a passage: "A nine-year-old 

 boy came into the school room ten minutes late. 



'Why are you late, Sammie?' 



*I saw a water-dog in the branch as I came along and I wanted 

 to catch him and bring him with me.' 



'Did you catch him?' 



'Yes ma'am' he replied with shining eyes 'and here he is'! 



In a moment ^the school was grouped around Samuel, and aU 

 the children were watching the water dog. The program was 

 changed that day as it often was in that school. But there were 

 some interesting things well said and well written; there were 

 some related facts brought out. A beautiful opportunity and a 

 quick appreciation of it." 



