TO THE TEACHER. 



MATERIAL AND METHODS. 



IN order to use these exercises successfully it will be 

 necessary to adopt the laboratory, as distinguished from 

 the text-book, method of instruction. The practice, still 

 too common, of using ordinary recitation seats and benches 

 for work of this kind is extremely unsatisfactory, and 

 ought to be abandoned. The best arrangement is to have 

 places assigned at long tables one table in front of each 

 window, so that every student can have a full amount of 

 light. North, east, and west windows are preferable, those 

 on the north side being the best. In every case the pupil 

 is to be provided with the material called for, and this 

 should be typical of its kind and sufficient in quantity. 

 In a large proportion of the exercises the plants needed 

 are common everywhere and easily obtained. When it is 

 impossible to procure them the exercise is to be omitted. 

 It has no significance whatever unless the thing talked 

 about is actually present to the eye. It will generally be 

 found better to secure an appropriation of a few dollars 

 and employ some one regularly to furnish a supply of 

 material than to depend on what the teacher and members 

 of the class can gather. In any case the things to be 

 studied must be systematically provided. They cost far 

 less, but are just as essential as the reagents and apparatus 

 in a chemical or physical laboratory. 



