500 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



volumes, densities, &c., liotation, hydrometers and tlieir uses — mechanics and 

 simple machines — capillarity, surface tension, friction, gravitational and other 

 forces, and so on, always keeping the fundamental object of the course in view 

 and choosing objects and illustrations m accordance therewith. The object of 

 each experiment is stated, results obtained, and finally a full description of 

 the method followed is written out in pencil at the bench, deductions and 

 inferences are drawn, sources of error are sought for, and their effects esti- 

 mated. As a rule each boy, or pair of boys, has a separate problem from his 

 fellows. 



As a sample outline of a lesson in 'Rural Economy' — suppose the subject 

 is Boiling, which the boys have seen proceeding in the meadows early in March 

 as they came to school. The investigation probably brings out the following 

 points : — ttmooth surface — hoof-marks of animals — presses in stones (how came 

 they to surface? lifted by frost — laid bare by washing of rain, &c.), hence 

 minimises risk to mowing machine later on — makes surface firm — loosened by 

 winter frost ; effect on capillarity — capillary tubes made finer, therefore water 

 rises to top ; effect on evaporation — air usually moist at this season, therefore 

 slight; effect on soil temperature — evaporation causes cooling tendency — tight 

 soil a better conductor than loose soil — sun beginning to have more power — 

 tends to make soil warmer — total of effects, warming ; effect on plants — warmth 

 causes more rapid growth — roots in loosened soil would tend to be short of 

 food and to be dried up and withered — seedling grasses pressed into soil and 

 enabled to grow — shoots broken — causes dormant buds to grow out — result, a 

 thicker and more abundant crop of grass. Effect on conservation of soluble 

 plant food formed during winter — capillarity keeps it near roots. Why do we 

 now start rolling the cricket pitch? 



The whole of the information can be elicited from the class by serial 

 questions. 



Up to this point few text-books have been used, but note-books contain 

 summaries of all lessons and home-work exercises on them. In the course of 

 tne lessons interesting facts about the history of science and its pioneers are 

 given as occasion arises. 



In the higher division text-books are used more freely and the different 

 branches of science are followed out still more systematically ; but the under- 

 lying principle of the course is never forgotten, and applications of the facts 

 are constantly demanded. Heat, light, and sound, studied as forms of energy, 

 and magnetism and electricity are taken in alternate years. Chemistry is 

 further developed, and botany is revised and extended to include plant 

 ecology and the study of some of the commoner orders. Soil physics and soil 

 biology are further developed, and the chemistry is applied to crops, animals 

 and animal products, feeding stuffs, manures. &c. Enough animal physiology 

 is given to enable boys to understand the digestive and feeding processes in 

 animals, and to compare these processes with those in plants, bringing out the 

 fundamental difference that plants in total store up energy, and animals in the 

 total liberate and use that energy in various ways. An outline of the 

 chemistry of foods and the principles upon which animals are fed is dealt with 

 (the boy's own body being the specimen usually under immediate consideration). 

 The reproductive process is traced through plants, and the principles of 

 breeding can thus be dealt with in systematic order, while many valuable 

 lessons can be impressed without difficulty. 



The laboratory work takes on a character more closely resembling research 

 work, and sometimes deals with problems connected with soils, plants, feeding 

 materials, manures, milk and milk-products, &c., requiring the application of 

 knowledge and methods previously studied in some other connection. The lines 

 along which such studies are to be conducted are usually suggested by the 

 master, but may be modified by the pupil at his discretion. 



In the physical laboratory the exercises are connected with the branch of 

 science under study, and the compound microscope is now used in the study 

 of botany. 



Meteorological instruments, soil temperatures, &c., are read and recorded 

 daily, with occasional discussion of the meaning and explanation of the records. 



The school has a Natural History Club. Excursions are frequent. Regular 



