NOLAN] ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 273 



4. List the farm animals at home. 



5. What wild animals are seen on the farm? 



6. List the birds you see in the time given to this study. 



7 . Make a list of the insects you see and know on the farm. 

 This observation work is carried on for several weeks and 



furnishes a basis for many class and field exercises. Out of such 

 work should grow the realization that the farm is a place full of life 

 and interest, and that there is much to learn of which the country 

 boys and girls have not thought. This attitude of mind on the 

 part of teacher and pupil alike is a fertile field for results in teaching 

 elementary agriculture. 



The farm crop engaging the attention of farmers throughout the 

 North Central States about the time schools open in September is 

 wheat, and the school soon begins a study of this crop. An oppor- 

 tunity is here afforded to introduce the study of seeds, represented 

 by the grain of wheat. Methods of study found in all elementary 

 text-books are followed. Following this a study of germination is 

 made. Wheat is planted in pots or boxes, and the growing plant 

 is observed. The whole plant is soon introduced, and as it grows 

 in pot or field the whole question of how the plant lives and grows 

 is taken up. 



The practical work of soil preparation, plant feeding, seed-bed, 

 crop rotation is introduced in connection with the sowing of wheat. 

 The insects and diseases of the wheat crop, the winter conditions 

 effecting wheat, and the harvesting of wheat conclude the study of 

 this crop, and make up the final work of the month. 



In the next article the work for October will be taken up. 



Should School Gardens be Made to Show 

 Financial Gains? 



E. S. Sell 

 Professor of Agriculture, State Normal School, Athens, Ga. 



Without hesitation, many teachers would say, that gardens used 

 for educational purposes cannot be made to show financial gains. 

 To this I would say, that it depends on what is expected to be 

 taught. If school gardens are conducted, simply to carry on experi- 

 ments and beautify the school grounds, then it will be difficult to 

 make profits from school gardens. 



