7 2 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
with all the allurements possible to the inventive power of the 
adult mind.” 
The superintendent of public instruction for the state of Kan¬ 
sas says: “A practical education is by far the best. Close obser¬ 
vation in every day life leads to this.” 
Prof. Allen of Pennsylvania, an eminently successful teacher 
in the school-room and institutes, says : “As ail studies in the 
school-room may be classed under the three heads of language, 
mathematics and natural science, and as the elements of all physi¬ 
cal and natural science should be taught • to the youngest child that 
enters the school, every child should have daily one lesson in lan¬ 
guage, one in mathematics, and one in science.” 
A year ago the legislature of Illinois enacted that “ no teacher 
shall be authorized to teach a common school who is not qualified 
to teach the elements of the natural sciences, physiology and the 
laws of health, in addition to the branches previously required.” 
Hon. Newton Bateman, Superintendent of Public Instruction 
in that state, thus defines what he understands the law to mean 
by “elements”: “the elements of science are its fundamental 
principles, its rudiments, its primary rules, laws and facts; the 
simplest and most essential things involved in a knowledge of it.” 
He defined natural sciences as applicable to the common schools 
of that state to mean botany, zoology and natural philosophy. 
Hon. Wm. T. Harris, Superintendent of the Public Schools of 
St. Louis, asks the question, “ Can we not give those children who 
study five years or a less time in our public schools, some knowl¬ 
edge of the outlines of physics and natural history, which will be 
of great service to them in after life, and for the time being not 
interfere seriously with the prosecution of elementary studies?” 
He answers the question in the affirmative. 
The Royal Commissioners of Great Britain, appointed to inquire 
into systems of schools, report in regard to the study of natural 
science as follows: “We think it established that the study of nat¬ 
ural science develops better than any other study the observing 
faculties, disciplines the intellect by teaching induction as well as 
deduction, supplies a useful balance to the studies of language 
and mathematics, and provides much instruction of great value 
for- the occupations of after life.” 
