330 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 



for ornament, as at present, but for their educational use- 

 fulness as well. 



Making natural reserves servicable. Education began 

 in "fresh air schools" Country folk have always been wont 

 to meet in groves for public exercises. The fresh air and the 

 open sky, the majesty of the trees, and the freshness of the 

 unspoiled verdure have irresistibly, drawn them out of doors. 

 With the revival of interest in field work, we are going out 

 doors in companies again and taking some of our work with 

 us. 



It is not so easy now, as once it was, to find a spot prepared 

 by nature for a gathering place. The requisite conditions are 

 that all who come together shall be able to see and to hear 

 and to sit comfortably while listening or working. A grassy 

 bank under a tree, when dry enough, may meet these con- 

 ditions. For many years a few great trunks of fallen trees 

 in the Renwick woods at Ithaca served as meeting places 

 for classes in biological field work. But places better suited 

 to the needs of classes may easily be arranged in the woods. 



For more continuous use as an outdoor class room, "The 

 Covert," at Ithaca was made. A natural hollow in tne woods,, 

 over-arched and shaded by trees, was fitted with seats of 

 flat field-stones, arranged in semi-circles. Aisles were left 

 for passing and paths were made for entrance and exit. At 

 the center a massive table, with a slate slab for a top, was 

 built of hollow tile and plastered. A door was set in the back 

 of its hollow base, and its interior is used for the storage of 

 grass mats, between sessions. These mats are handed out 

 for use by classes when the stones are damp and cold. 

 " The Covert " is an excellent type of educational equip- 

 ment that can be made in any woods. It is very substantial 

 and permanent. It does not disfigure the woods (being hardly 

 discernible from a distance of a few rods in any direction) 

 and it is growing in beauty every year as its trees grow older. 



