BY WM. A. LIPPINCOTT 109 



While the second advantage of the lecture must not be pushed too far, 

 it is a fact nevertheless, that that man who can stand up before a class and 

 tell them things will secure greater confidence from the students than a man 

 who is really better posted but who merely asks questions over a text book 

 assignment. The lecturer gives the impression of authority and inspires 

 confidence. 



And lastly, the opportunity which the lecture gives of bringing the sub- 

 ject up to date cannot be over looked. If it is true, as has been said, that 

 any agricultural text book is out of date before it leaves the press it is 

 especially true of a new subject like poultry husbandry. New truth is 

 being brought to light almost daily. New editions could not be brought 

 forward fast enough to keep up with the procession. It can be done only 

 through additional notes. 



We need text books because it is impossible to give by word of mouth, 

 all the necessary facts in any course. There is not sufficient time. The 

 student should have the general facts and ideas in mind before attending the 

 lecture. The instructor may then spend his time associating, applying and 

 illustrating them. The recitation has its part only occasionally as a con- 

 venient means of finding out whether the student is keeping up his work. 

 Even than the recitation should be a discussion rather than a quiz. Every 

 class room exercise should be conducted with the primary motive to teach 

 not to test. The instructor who cannot find out incidentally, without 

 wasting teaching time by a series of tests, pure and simple, whether a 

 student is working, (provided the classes are of reasonable size) is out of 

 place in the class room. 



When one has the facts and principles given in the text, revised, 

 associated and applied by the lecturer, the work will be narrow unless it is 

 viewed from varying angles. In our work this is best done through excur- 

 sions to practical poultry farms, working on different farms, and what is 

 most available for the college student, reading. Systematic reference 

 reading which is all that its name implies cannot help but broaden the 

 point of view. With the present state of our poultry literature it is difficult 

 to map out a course that is at once progressive and systematic. Our work, 

 however, will be weak until this has been done. 



