vinal] MECHANICAL AIDS IX XATURE-STUDY 65 



the government topographical map. It can be enlarged by use of 

 the pantograph or by dividing the original into small squares with 

 pencil lines and then copying the map onto a chart with larger 

 squares. The latter method is more accurate. 



10. Quotations. I have these printed in large type upon card- 

 board. They are displayed at various times during the year. 

 These cards should be changed frequently. Such pithy state- 

 ments as follow are used for the Normal School classes : 



"Our children have as much right to be taught to read a roadside 

 as a book." — Slogan of the Sacramento Playground Commission. 



"Nature-study is the alphabet of agriculture." — From a Nature 

 Study Review circular. 



"Nature-study is the fundamental basis for the conservation of 

 our natural resources." — From a Nature-Study Review circular. 



Quotations from the poets are also displayed according to the 

 season, as: 



"The wee willow pussies are climbing the trees." 



"By the flowing river the alder catkins swing." — Celia Thaxter 



"The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee." — Emersox. 



ii. Sand Box Gardening. I consider this the most valuable 

 nature-study equipment that I have. Its use is unlimited. 



(i). Individual Projects. The box may be divided by cross 

 strings for individual gardening. Each garden is then about 6x8 

 inches in size. Slips of the geranium, etc., may be rooted and 

 transplanted to a pot for Christmas; a series of seedlings may be 

 raised for study; tree seedlings may be raised for Arbor Day; 

 privet cuttings can be started for a hedge; a class exchange of 

 valuable grape cuttings, etc., to be started for early spring; the 

 raising of orange seedlings and the cotton seeds are interesting and 

 suggestive. 



(2). Community Pro] ects. In this case the strings are removed 

 and groups of students work out certain social and community 

 ideas. All sorts of resources are brought out in this work. Trees 

 may be represented by small bush}- twigs which have been covered 

 with a sticky substance and dipped into a box of finely cut green 

 paper. Evergreens may be represented by small twigs of cedar. 

 Green meadows and lawns may be represented by sawdust colored 

 with a green dye. In representing an ideal lawn real grass seed 

 gives a good effect. Tree seeds may be planted to raise miniature 

 shade trees. Color the sawdust with a brown dye to show plowed 



