April 1, 1902.1 
Supplement to the "Tropical AgricuUunst." 
713 
Mr. Stone refers to the systems of well-known 
authorities as being but partially successful, and 
suggests ihe medullary rays as the most constant 
feature for forming the basis of an artifici il key, 
though it does not altogether coincide with 
botanical classification. 
" ISevertheless," says Mr. Stone, "a useful key 
may be constructed by first distinguishing those 
woods with two kinds of rays from those having 
but one. The latter then fall again into two 
groups, one having rays with intervals between 
them of not less than the transverse diameter 
of the largest pores present, the other converse 
by having the intervals never greater than the 
pore diameter, i.e., the rays diverge and run 
round or avoid the pores. 
These two types of rays are very clearly marked 
and have quite different aspects. The arrange- 
ment of the vessels or pores can then be use- 
fully employed, as the concentric, radial, tree- 
like, or undulating group, or uniform distribu- 
tion of the pores is very constant in many 
genera, as are also the equally varied forms 
assumed by the sott tissue (wood parenchyma), 
which comes next in order of importance. It 
would be out of place here to go into further detail, 
and it need only be pointed out that by following 
this sequence all members of the same genus 
except the aberrant forms fall together into the 
same ultimate groups. 
But the structure of many groups, and even 
whole genera are so similar that the species can 
only be distinguished by long acquaintance, and 
it is then necessary to note specific gravity, 
colour, smell, taste, hardness, behaviour v^ith 
re-agents, &c. Frequently one pronouuced feature, 
e.q., smell or hardness sufiices for identification 
of a species. But then there are hundreds of 
species that have no such pronounced feature, 
and hence the crying need for a guide to 
enable one to trace the name of any wood. 
Here is an excellent field for local foresters, for 
there can be no two opinions as to the economic 
importance of this study. 

NATURE STUDY AND SCHOOL GARDENING. 
Progress in this new movement is not confined 
to America (where it had its origin) or Australia, 
foi we read in Nature that considerable atten- 
tion is being paid to it in England. 
A periodical called the Nature Study Journal 
has been started in Kent, under the auspices of a 
society for promoting Nature Study, the members 
of which are expected to contribute suitable lessons 
for teaching purposes. Sir W. Hart Dyke writes 
an introduction to the first number issued. 
Nature referring to the new movement says, 
that the introduction of Nature Study into rural 
schools cannot but be productive of good, and 
though it is not primarily directed to keeping 
children on the land, it will have this effect in- 
directly by leading them to see that a country life 
has its own interests and is not merely stupid rou- 
tine; remarking further that the children who do 
stay in the country will through Nature Study lay a 
foundation of thinking about rural pursuits which 
can be built upon later, 
We also read of a Conference on School Gardens 
being held, when Mr Rooper, Inspector of Schools, 
read a paper on School Gardening in England and 
Germany, in the course of which he is reported to 
have said that English School Gardens though few 
are the more practical, when these gardens are 
considered as fields for mental and manual training. 
Sir John Cockburn, late Premier and Minister of 
Education in South Australia referred to a difficulty 
which we have experienced ourselves, viz., the want 
of time for work ; but he observed that in South 
Australia the authorities had gone so far to over- 
come it, that, while originally one hour was 
allowed for school gardening, at present ouly half 
the teaching hours was devoted to theoretical 
instruction. 
Lastly, we read of an influential Committee being 
appointed to promote a Nature Study Exhibition 
to be held in London, about the end of July next. 
At this exhibition urban and rural elementary 
day schools and other institutions will compete 
for prizes and certificates, which will be offered 
for collection.'^ of Natural objects (plants, insects, 
etc.), drawings of same, plans for gardens, plants 
grown in boxes, pots, etc. While the efforts of 
individual pupils will be recognised, it is intended 
by means of a competition to judge of the best 
scheme for instruction and working methods. It is 
expected that there will be no difficulty in getting 
the necessary funds for what Nature calls 
" such an excellent object." 
We, in Ceylon, have been losing no time in 
availing ourselves of the advantage of the new 
movement, for since June last a local School Garden 
scheme has been in operation, atid so far has been 
carried on with satisfactory results. As reported 
elsewhere, already a small exhibition has been the 
outcome of the activity engendered by the scheme. 
As regards the gardens themselves, a competent 
authority, who has been inspecting the first-started 
gardens which have had some little time for 
developing, has declared to us that, making allow- 
ance for altered conditions, he is inclined to think 
our School Gardens compare favourably with, and 
if anything, are superior to, similar gardens in 
England. This is indeed high praij-e, and it is to 
be hoped it will only urge on our teachers to higher 
efforts. 
■ ♦ 
VEGETABLES, HOW TO COOK AND SERVE 
THEM. 
{Concluded.) 
Spinach, though, of course, a green vegetable, 
requires somewhat different management. It re- 
duces very much in the process of cooking, so a 
good quantity — not less than 2 or 3 lbs. — must be 
allowed for a good sized dish, Wash it in three 
waters, as it is very grittj', pick off all the coarse 
stalks, and leave it in cold water for \ hour to 
freshen it up. A large saucepan will be required; 
into this place the spinach, without any water, 
except what clings to the leaves, for it will cook 
in its own juice. Sprinkle a tablespoonful of salt 
over, and cover the saucepan for a minute or two 
to keep in the steam. After the juice begins to 
draw it must be very frequently stirred with 
