CHAPTER VI 

 LESSONS WITH PLANTS 



Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither 

 do they spin : and yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory 

 was not arrayed like one of these. 



No blooming of roses endureth forever, 

 The glories of sunset not alway remain ; 

 Yet liveth their grace in the spirit, tho' never. 

 The senses perceive the same beauty again. 



S. M. Newman. 



The love of a flower in the heart of a child is the high- 

 est thing that nature study can hope to develop. No 

 amount of knowledge about flowers can take its place nor 

 compare with it in life value. This, with some knowledge 

 of horticulture, acquaintance with poisonous plants, wild 

 flowers, trees, and some of the lower forms, is the botany 

 that should be required below the high school. 



Too often, especially in our efforts at education, when 

 we strive hardest to develop love of a subject we succeed 

 in awakening quite the reverse emotion. This is a deli- 

 cate matter, and it must be no half-hearted love that 

 attempts to teach.^ Books on psychology and child study 



1 Since we love, what need to think ? 

 Happiness stands on a brink 

 Whence too easy 'tis to fall 

 Whither 's no return at all ; 

 Have a care, half hearted lover, 

 Thought would only push her over ! 



Lowell, Love and Thought. 

 91 



