96 The Nature-Study Idea 



a perfect adaptation of man to his natural 



environment. 



A point of view on the rural-school problem 



A fundamental necessity to successful living 

 is to be in sympathy with the nature-environ- 

 ment in which one is placed. This sympathy is 

 born of good knowledge of the objects and 

 phenomena in the environment. The process 

 of acquiring this knowledge and of arriving at 

 this sympathy is now popularly called nature- 

 study. 



The nature-study process and point of view 

 should be a part of the work of all schools, 

 because schools train persons to live. Particu- 

 larly should it be a part of rural schools, because 

 the nature-environment is the controlling con- 

 dition for all persons who live on the land. 

 There is no effective living in the open country 

 unless the mind is sensitive to the objects and 

 phenomena of the open country; and no 

 thoroughly good farming is possible without 

 this same knowledge and outlook. Good 

 farmers are good naturalists. 



