vi Preface 



procedure is to teach principles in the classroom, dem- 

 onstrating them by simple experiments if possible, and 

 at the same time to have each pupil, where circum- 

 stances permit, do some work in a school garden or on 

 a home project. This practical work might well be 

 conducted in such a way as to meet the requirements 

 of home-project courses of study. 



The subject of agriculture, especially as viewed from 

 the nature-study angle, has so many ramifications that 

 it would be unthinkable to give attention, in an elemen- 

 tary text, even to every pertinent matter. Yet a large 

 measure of correlation with other subjects is inevitable, 

 for agriculture " levies tribute upon all the sciences.'* 

 In this book, subject matter has been included or ex- 

 cluded in accordance with the needs and interest of 

 pupils as determined by the author during many years 

 of experience as a teacher and supervisor of agriculture. 

 The laying down of any rigid rules of procedure has 

 been avoided, for the purpose has been to make Nature- 

 Study Agriculture an ally to teacher and pupils anywhere. 

 The instructor who uses this text may well see fit to 

 omit parts of some chapters, or to supplement the mat- 

 ter in other chapters with material from the Farmers' 

 Bulletins to which reference is made. 



