Work with the Blind 61 



The slide distribution is under the immediate direction of 

 Miss Grace E. Fisher, whose services deserve special com- 

 mendation. 



The work with the blind and sight conservation classes, 

 under the direction of Miss Ruth E. Crosby, has far surpassed 

 its previous records. From the twenty subjects 

 K'? which were offered during the year, an unusually 

 large number of talks were chosen by the 

 teachers, and good weather permitted regular attendance. Dur- 

 ing the year, 117 talks were given to 17 different classes, with 

 a total attendance of 1,656. This growth is due in part to the 

 organization of new classes in the public schools and the 

 enlarged enrolment of the existing classes. 



In addition to this work with the public schools, two nature- 

 study classes from the New York Institute for the Blind have 

 been conducted through the Museum halls to study some of 

 the mounted animals. 



Both in the public schools and in the New York Institute 

 for the Blind, the children have the opportunity of examining 

 nature study specimens loaned by the Museum. Eleven of 

 the regular sight conservation classes are now provided with 

 large relief globes made by the Museum especially for their 

 use. Thirteen more of these globes are at present being com- 

 pleted to fill requests of other teachers. 



The extensive work with the blind is made possible through 

 the Jonathan Thorne Memorial Fund, which provides for run- 

 ning expenses, new equipment, and even the transportation of 

 the classes to and from the Museum talks. In order to coop- 

 erate as fully as possible with other agencies, the Museum has 

 recently become a member of the New York State Federation 

 of Workers for the Blind. Mr. Sherwood has been made a 

 member of the Board of Directors as a representative of the 

 Aluseum. 



