AGRICULTURAL NATURE STUDY OUTLINES 
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mirror ? Meaning of diffused light and why it is best for our eyes ? 
What is the sundial? 
The brook. —Study of a small stream and its work. Beginning 
and end of this particular brook. Character of course and why. 
Character of its banks at various places. Difference in open country 
from wooded region. Meaning of the “work” of a brook. With what 
tools does it work ? When does a brook ‘ ‘ play ’ ’ ? Causes of difference 
of color of water at various times. Fill a fruit jar with the muddy 
water of a brook and allow to settle. What is the result? Look at 
the pebbles in a brook and along its banks. What do you find ? Why 
are some very smooth ? Explain sedimentation and erosion from study 
of the work of a brook. Find a delta.. See Miller’s The Brook Book 
and Frye’s Brooks and Brook Basins. 
Soil. —Surface of earth covered with rock. Agents that helped to 
break up the rock crust. Work of glaciers, water, winds, air, etc. 
Expansion and contraction through heat and cold. Samples of sand, 
gravel, small pebbles, clay, and garden soil in the schoolroom. 
Explanation of humus. Action of bacteria. See Fletcher’s Soils for 
the story of the formation of the soil. 
VII. OUTLINES FOR THE SEVENTH GRADE 
[See especially printed outlines on the School Garden and the 
Home Garden and Vegetable Growing Project for material for the 
Seventh and the Eighth grades.] See reference on page 1. 
1. Human Needs, Interests, and Activities 
Vacation activities. —Reports from pupils as to the home garden 
projects. 
Calendar of farm operations. —Discuss methods of keeping an 
account of the farm operations by months during the coming school 
year. Enumerate the principal agricultural activities of the com¬ 
munity. 
•/ 
Crop survey. —Reports on present conditions of the various crops, 
yields if harvested, climatic, moisture, and soil conditions. Each child 
bring a list of estimated yields of various crops on his father’s ranch. 
How much sold ? Amount consumed at home. This to include garden, 
field, orchard, and livestock. Problems of marketing. 
Needs .—Special irrigation or drainage needs. Soil needs. Market 
needs, transportation needs, educational needs, etc. 
