SPRING NATURE STUDY. 521 



growth. From their very nature they are most attracted by 

 that which is most thoroughly alive. When does nature so 

 throb and pulsate with life as in spring days ? We can 

 fairly see the plants grow. The birds bubble over with 

 the joy of living. 



Our little children must study, before all else, life, devel- 

 opment, and function or use. It is more interesting. It 

 is better adapted to their nature. It develops a sympathy 

 and love for nature. It leads the children to think, as 

 well as to see, to ask " why " and " how," as well as " what." 

 It is the best possible preparation for the subsequent study 

 of form, structure, and classification. 



We have agreed that when we have interested our chil- 

 dren in nature we want to develop a sympathy and love for 

 nature. Can we sympathize with a form ? Can we love a 

 mere structure ? Can our children "? 



Let us understand, then, that in our spring work with 

 our boys and girls, we are going to study life, not mere 

 form, use, or function, not mere structure. We will see 

 how the buds develop, not merely tear them apart. We 

 will watch the seed germinate, and form root and stem 

 and leaf and flower. We will peer into the cradle of the 

 baby leaf, watch it creep out and get ready for work, try 

 to understand a little about its work and the ways in which 

 it is fitted to do its work. W^e will see how and why the 

 plant so carefully guards the flower, and learn something 

 as to the work of the flower. 



PREPARING FOR SPRING. 



" Ah, March ! we know thou art 

 Kind-hearted, spite of ugly looks and threats, 

 And, out-of-sight,*art nursing April's violets." 



H. H. 



March is the month when we must lay or strengthen our 

 foundations, and make preparation for later work in nature 



