io8 First Conference 



involve a thorough scientific training; but the ground- 

 work of certain sciences (e.g. physics and chemistry) 

 should, if possible, be acquired, and as much botany 

 and biology learned as time may permit. What 

 is more important even than the acquisition of 

 knowledge is the mastery of the best methods of 

 inculcating habits of observation and inquiry in the 

 pupils. Comparatively few lessons from an expert 

 instructor would inspire an intelligent teacher with 

 valuable ideas which he could carry out in his school. 



What are the County Councils doing in this 

 direction } 



From the latest information I have been able to 

 collect, I find that 22 County Councils have been 

 conducting short special courses for teachers ex- 

 tending over a few weeks, usually in the summer 

 vacations. Twenty- four Councils have instituted 

 longer and more systematic courses ranging over 

 several months of the year, the classes begin ordi- 

 narily held on Saturdays; while 26 Councils have 

 arranged in connection with these courses outdoor 

 rambles or excursions for teachers. 



It is impossible to give a trustworthy estimate of 

 the number of teachers receiving instruction in 

 ** Nature-study " ; but I find that in 15 administrative 

 counties taken indiscriminately no less than 620 

 teachers were attending the various courses last 

 session. 



As to subjects, I find that 25 Councils are giving 

 instruction in horticulture, 20 in botany, 20 in "nature- 

 study" or natural history, 14 in plant life, 9 in ento- 

 mology, 7 in zoology, and a smaller number in bio- 

 logy, geology, physiography, and minor agricultural 



