4 PREFACE 



In a number of places, several experiments have been intro- 

 duced to demonstrate the same truth. It is not intended, how- 

 ever, that all such exercises be undertaken by the same class 

 in any one term. They are offered so that the courses from 

 term to term can be varied, using alternative experiments. 



This gives variety to the work and will make the use of old 

 laboratory notebooks less likely. 



It is also expedient often to assign for home experiment such 

 exercises as are omitted in school. Field work should be 

 undertaken wherever possible; but as real field work is out of 

 the question in large cities, much reference work can be done, 

 and a certain amount of it ought to be required. 



Reference work will include the looking up of topics in 

 libraries, and visits to museums and parks. 



Written reports on assigned topics should be expected. A 

 certain number of common plants should be known by name. 

 This can be accomplished by requiring pupils to bring in 

 specimens. These collections may be arranged for exhibition 

 where all may see them and learn to recognize them. 



Walks about streets and parks to identify trees and shrubs 

 should be made from time to time, and their leaves should be 

 collected as a means of recognizing them. The same method 

 is recommended for ferns and garden flowers. 



If the boy or girl who studies this book comes to realize that 

 plants are alive as we are alive, that they eat, digest, grow, 

 and reproduce their kind as truly as we perform these func- 

 tions; that they respond to outside influences as we do; 

 that they are in a way our brothers ; that they are necessary 

 to us and we to them, my object will be fulfilled. 



To Dr. Walter Hollis Eddy, of the High School of Com- 

 merce, New York, for his many helpful suggestions of material 

 and method of presentation ; to Mr. Frederick L. Holtz of the 

 Training School for Teachers, Brooklyn, who has read the 



