298 GENERAL SCIENCE 



The wings correspond to the arms of people, and both 

 upper and lower arm bones are coveredfby the skin of the 

 body. Imagine a person with the whole length of arm to 

 the wrist doubled upon itself and tied close down against 

 the body, and the fingers and hand covered with feathers. 

 Then consider the difficulties experienced in efforts to feed 

 one's self and to keep clean. The neck structure in fowls 

 gives a wonderful variety in movements and in serviceable- 

 ness, securing both strength and flexibility. One use of the 

 bill (beak) by birds and fowls is in keeping their feathers 

 clean and in place. 



The leg structure of birds that perch (roost) is such that 

 the weight of the body causes the toes and claws so to grasp 

 the support that when asleep they cannot fall off. Dif- 

 ferences in the kinds of domestic fowls due to breeding is a 

 matter of importance to poultrymen. 



When combined with the care of the home garden, the 

 responsibility associated with the keeping of poultry provides 

 for both boys and girls an educational training at home as 

 valuable as any " course" in schools. There is an abundance 

 of literature of great worth upon both Gardening and Poultry 

 Raising, much of which may be had at slight outlay. But 

 the educational .value of these occupations for boys and girls 

 lies in the initiative, the persistence, and the good judgment 

 demanded by the home work. It combines physical and 

 mental effort in a manner similar to that which characterizes 

 advancement in first-hand study of the sciences, and success 

 in the affairs of life generally. 



Agriculture as a school subject needs application of its 

 teachings even as does Home Economics. It may be secured 

 in part at least through the care at home of a flock of fowls, 

 and of the vegetables in the garden. This is in addition to 

 caring for the lawn, the fruit and flowers, the trees and shrub- 

 bery about the home. Along with the increase in skill and 



