256 NA TURE-STUD Y RE VIEW 



Cornell University and Nature-Study 



Nature-study was undertaken at Cornell through a mandate 

 of the New York Legislature in an attempt to better agricultur- 

 al conditions in this great state. The farmers were experiencing 

 hard times during the years preceding and following 1893. Meas- 

 ures of relief were considered, and mainly through the advice of Mr. 

 George T. Powell, then Director of Farmers Institutes, the intro- 

 duction of Nature-study into the Rural Schools was regarded 

 favorably as a means of interesting farm children in farming and 

 retaining their services in improving agriculture. Cornell did 

 not ask it, but when the State gave an appropriation to the Uni- 

 versity to be used to establish Nature-study in the rural schools, 

 the obligation was accepted in all seriousness and in 1896 began 

 a propaganda which has extended beyond New York and has 

 reached beyond even National boundaries. 



With Professor L. H. Bailey as leader and with John W. Spen- 

 cer, Alice McClosky, Edward Tuttle, Ada Georgia and the Editor 

 as a staff of regular workers and with the help of many others tem- 

 porarily, and with the co-operation of the N. Y. State Department 

 of Education the work has been established on a permanent and 

 practical basis. Death and other duties have taken away the 

 original staff of workers at Cornell and the work in the future will 

 be carried on by Dr. E. Laurence Palmer who brings to his task 

 enthusiasm and understanding that ensrues success. Because his 

 Leaflets are so vital and inspirational we have given the Septem- 

 ber Number of the Review the pleasant task of placing his meth- 

 ods of work bef Dre teachers who are not fortunate enough to be on 

 the New York State mailing list. 



