Excerpt from High School Botanical Note Book: For the Junior and Senior Leaving Examinations

The following suggestions are otlered in the hope that they may be found helpful to those who beginning the work of teaching Botany, as well as to the young student. The writer, mindful of the difficulties and perplexities which he has himself often had to encounter, makes no apology for thus presenting what appear to him to he the chief essentials to success in this department of school work. It goes without saying that no written instructions can ever make a successful teacher where natural enthusiasm is wanting, but it is equally true that the young enthusiast may derive some benefit from the larger experience of others; and while the intelligent and active teacher will not slavishly follow the details of any method, but will be quick to avail himself of any legitimate device which will serve his purpose, still there are broad principles upon which those who have haul practical experience will probably agree. In the following remarks an attempt is made to outline the course of a vear's work, which it is thought will be found practicable in any High School.

When to begin Botanical Wol'k. - A good deal might be saitl in favor of beginning: our botanical Work in the spring. At that time, when nature is awaiting from the torpor of winter. And the first leaves and flowers are unfolding it is especially delightful to ramble abroad. Then. Perhaps more than at any other time, the youthful mind is attracted by the forms of the vegetable world. And is prepared to enter upon the systematic studv of them with more than ordinary enthusiasm. And if it were possible to continue through the summer the botanical work begun in the spring, doubtless the most satisfactory results would be obtained. There is, however, the break caused by the long Vacation during which teacher and pupils are separated and school work generally abandoned so that when classes are resumed in September the work of the spring has to be gone over again, with the disadvan tage of having, in most cases, new pupils as well as old ones to deal with. Ou the whole, therefore; as the school year begins in September, and a general re-organization of classes then takes place, it seems most advantageous to begin the botanical work at that time. During September and October an abundant supply of material is available. With the advantage also of access to fruits and seeds at all kinds, as well as flowers. It is exceedingly desirable that during this period, when fresh plants can be had for examination, the botanical lessons should be frequent. If a short lesson could be given every day at this time surprising progress would be made in a few weeks. Summer has passed by, and work has to be confined to such material as has been collected for winter use, the lessons need non be given so often probably twice a week would he found quite sntlicient. Then, in the spring. When field work can be resumed, the lessons may again be increased in frequency for a time.

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