VI PREFACE 



only to show a clear discernment of " agreements and dif- 

 ferences " but to state them clearly in his notebook. 



The exercises which are here presented can not be per- 

 formed in all schools by each pupil. The work can easily 

 be completed, however, by assigning one exercise to a cer- 

 tain pupil or group of pupils, the next to another individual 

 or group, and so on. The exercises may be worked out 

 either in the schoolroom or at home, according to the judg- 

 ment of the teacher. There is no better training for a pupil 

 than that of presenting before a class the facts he has found 

 out for himself. 



In the back of the book will be found a list of materials 

 which should be gathered together and stored in some sort 

 of box before school opens. Better still, a cabinet may be 

 made, or secured, in which the materials can be compactly 

 stored. This will save space, which is always at a premium 

 in the schoolroom. All pieces of apparatus should be 

 washed clean, wiped dry, and put back in their places as 

 soon as the work is completed. This will save the teacher 

 much trouble, while it will at the same time tend to teach 

 the pupils neatness and order. 



Each pupil should have a durably bound notebook of 

 specified size, a drawing pencil, and a small hand lens. 



In addition to a box for the storage of equipment, another 

 should be provided in which a few plants or other perish- 

 able articles may be protected from freezing. Ordinarily, 

 it simplifies the work to have some person in the commu- 

 nity grow the potted plants which require care and attention 

 in order that they may develop properly. 



The material in this book is presented as a first study in 

 agriculture. It deals alone with soils and plants, for we 

 think that agricultural subjects can best be divided into plant 

 studies and animal studies. The latter should be presented 

 as a second, or advanced year's work. 



It must not be understood that the chapters in this book 



