AGRICULTURE 651 



Teaching. Any one familiar with the growth of education in 

 this country during the last few decades cannot help feeling that 

 here indeed is a vocation that is worth while. Not only is there 

 opportunity to teach a subject in which one is interested, but what 

 is far more, by example and leadership one is able to influence for 

 good many young people. Teaching, however, makes big de- 

 mands. A college education with specialization in the subject 

 matter of biology, an extra year of training in methods and practice 

 teaching and a lot of time devoted to reading and field work should 

 be the training of the teacher of biology. Salaries are not large 

 but they are sufficient, and one enjoys a certain social place in the 

 community. To be a successful teacher a love for the subject and 

 a love for children are essentials. The teacher must be forever 

 young and see with the eyes of youth. Tact, health, and, above 

 all, a sense of humor, must be part of the native equipment of the 

 teachers of biology. Then an analytical mind, perseverance, a 

 desire to hold to the truth at all costs, are all essential to good 

 teaching in science. Of course, all these are in addition to training 

 and knowledge of subject matter. 



Practical Exercise 5. What are the necessary qualifications for the teaching 

 profession? Do all teachers have these qualities? What would you list as 

 the most important outside of good health? 



Agriculture. A large percentage of the farmers of this country 

 have no real love for their work and have simply taken it up 

 because the farm was theirs by inheritance or they had other easy 

 reasons for going into the work. But for the young man with a 

 strong body and love for the out-of-doors, what could be a better 

 calling ? To become a scientific agriculturist requires a great deal 

 of study, including four years in an agricultural college in the study 

 of the practical applications of the chemistry of soils, of the laws of 

 Mendel in plant or animal breeding, and much else that the modern 

 farmer needs to know to make his business pay. The life of the 

 modern farmer, thanks to automobiles, good roads, and radios, has 

 become much more pleasant and interesting than it was a few 

 years ago. Specialized agriculture, particularly in the fruit farms 

 of the far west, offers most attractive inducements. Experimental 

 animal and plant breeding, although it may be carried on at the 



