downing] PROBLEMS OF TEACHING NATURE-STUDY 77 



children's minds, see what concepts are clear, what material there 

 is present at an}- level of the school course to serve as a basis for 

 the organization of new generalizations, before we can proceed wisely 

 with our course of study. We need extensive range of information 

 tests. 



Enough has been given here to make it clear that we who are 

 interested in effective science teaching in the public schools have 

 a number of scientific problems of the first magnitude to settle if 

 we ever reach correct conclusions on a basis of fact regarding 

 children's needs, ability to comprehend and interest in nature-study 

 material or the best methods of presentation. Fortunately such 

 investigations can be carried on without adding very materially to 

 the teachers daily tasks. She can include in her regular work tests 

 that will help to get at the necessary data and even small contribu- 

 tions will be gratefully received for the field is so large and so little 

 has been done. 



February 



L. H. Bailey 



February ! 



The land is in the grasp of winter; and yet 



A change is stealing over it 



Like a breath of far expectancy 



On plowland, marsh and hill; 



The sun is higher and lingers at the night 



As if reluctant to be gone; 



A new blue is in the sky; 



The grip of the hard hand begins to relax 



And here and there the fingers of the frost let go; 



There is an impression of warmth in the thin haze ; 



The cattle stand longer in the farmyard; 



Soft moist colors rise imperceptibly in the woods: 



Now and then a new lustre is on the evergreens. 



The brown and yellow willows show themselves along the water-courses 



And the fire of the osier begins to kindle in the swamps; 



We almost look backward to the dead of winter 



And almost onward to the rush of the grass — 



We look everywhere! 



Betwixt the rigid dead-nights of the year 



And the raucous flux of breaking spring, 

 February lays its faint suggestion here 



And we stand and watch for everything. 



