Mar., 1901] Kellerman — Competition in Botany. 
73 
Many of them unfortunately provide no means of identifying the 
native plants as a part of a school course, but teachers are not left 
without choice of a good book after such ultra ones are thrown out 
of the list. 
The text of an elementary book on botany should contain the 
important facts and principles of the science, and give a brief but 
comprehensive idea of the plant kingdom, in simple and plain lan- 
guage. An intimation and partial elucidation of means and methods 
employed to test or to verify the principles and inferences should be 
evident in the text. But this of itself is not sufficient for pedagogi- 
cal purposes; there should be besides practical work provided, reg- 
ular in time, ample in amount, that may train in the exercise of 
observation, experimentation and judgment. 
I have for years devoted one-half the time of the botanical courses, 
both elementary and advanced, to such real work carried on partly 
in the labratory, partly in the field. Besides courses here referred 
to others devoted wholly to laboratory, experimental or observa- 
tional work are provided; but it is not my purpose to discuss these 
now. Neither is it necessary to give here a detailed outline of the 
practical work that should constitute a substantial portion of the 
elementary work for beginners. Those who wish to use such a sim- 
ple yet ample course in the public schools can consult the “Practical 
Studies in Elementary Botany” published by Eldredge & Bro., Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 
But I desire to say in this connection that more real work on the 
native flora than is attempted even by able and enthusiastic teachers 
in Ohio schools would undoubtedly be advisable. I have outlined 
some competition work and submitted it to some of the schools look- 
ing to more interest in elementary practical work in this science. 
It has been urged that the project might be made more widely 
known to our Ohio schools with possible advantage, and therefore I 
have furnished, though with some misgivings, the following state- 
ment of this scheme. 
Either of the following subjects may be selected: Mosses, 
Lichens, or Trees ; the work to conform to the suggestions and direc- 
tions given below. The Report of the work must be completed on or 
before May 15, 1901, and submitted to the Teacher of Botany, or per- 
son (or persons) designated by him, who — taking into account both 
the quality and quantity of the work— will forward, if worthy, the 
best report accompanied by the illustrative material, to the under- 
signed; whereupon the latter will, on or before May 31, send as a 
reward to the author of said report a'copy of the Ohio Naturalist 
Yol. 1. 
Pupils now studying, or those who have formerly studied, botany 
are eligible to enter the competition. No award will be made un- 
less at least two or three pupils undertake the work; it is hoped that 
every member of the class will compete. 
