The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-06-17

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Botany is usually regarded as n vcr,
dull and difficult study, even for al
yanced students. aud Of course quite
too dry and hard for young children.
This Is al mistake. Botany is really
Q most fascinating study for children Of
grown people. IL is better adapted
than almost any other 10 cultivate the
very faculties which are not stimulated
BY other studies The secret Of sue
cess consists in making each student "a
independent explorer and dscoyerer.
Taught by an enthusiastic teacher. bot
any awakens and strengthens powers OF
accurate observation. acute perception
and correct classification. such as are
needed 70 make life useful and happy.
The study OF botany may be com
menced ut any time. The best time is
early spring. Suppose we start with a
family Of young people from seven
wears old 10 twenty. We meet every
day. For our first lesson we study any
plant, or part of plant. that we have
at hand. Each makes a sketch on pa
per, and writes q minute description Of
y. Then we put some seeds. or grains.
such as beans, corn. oats, etc. in warm
water TO soak till the next day. AT the
second lesson we open some OF these
softened seeds. and observe their in
ternal structure. The older and wiser
ones tell the younger ones what they
know about the seeds. Then we plant
the remainder. some in earth and some
between layers Of damp cotton floating
on 4 tumbIer Of water.
While waiting few days for these 70
sprout, we bring up from the cellar
onions. potatoes, celery, cabbares. etc.
Each object is examined externally and
internally, sketched and described in
writing. Some 81 them are planted ia
earth and put in warm places. that we
may study their growth.
Looking out Of the windows, we ex-
anime each tree and shrub in sight.
sketching and describing twig. branch.
trunk and bark and swelling bud. We
cut cross sections. and compare them
with cross sections Of bamboo or palm
stems, as seen IN common fans. We
cut vertical sections, and compare them
with the wood used III making furni-
ture. The flowers and plants in the
window are sketched and described
down to the most minute particulars.
Now we begin 70 study . book on
botany. Our seeds are beginning 20
terminate and illustrate tho first les
sons, and our leader takes care that in
III our course our investigations shall
keep in advance Of our book lesson. that
we may have the pleasure OF making |
discoveries and finding them confirmed. |
Each day we recite something previous |
" learned; lind plants 10 illustrate il.
md others to lead in the direction OF |
he next lesson. Then taking some i
,lant (if possible complete one from I
GOT to flower and seed), we examine,
'ketch and describe il. Then turning l
o the analytical tables. we trace the de-
cription till we determine the species.
We commit 70 memory and recite some
u the distinguishing characteristics OF \
lie family. thus becoming 50 familiar
With them that in future we need not II
% through with tho tabular analysis.
We press and preserve specimens Of
II plants analysed. As soon as posi-
lie we pursue our studies in the fields
nd woods. In each Of these excur-
ions We study one particular organ or
art Of plant. Sometimes collecting
he greatest possible variety Of leaves.
70 sit down and compare the different
orms. Sometimes we do the same
nth roots. Thus we learn great deal
bout plants which we cannot analyze
ccauso some part is lacking.
In studying botany in the ordinary
ray very little enthusiasm Il awak-
ned; but, studying Il in the way de-
cribed, vastly moro interest is excited.
nd much more knowledge gained "A
lousand beauties are discovered which
10 books pass over unnoticed. Any
Dung person who has studied botany
n single season could conduct .
lass on the plan have described
Il Is shame that country children
lould be allowed to grow up ignorant
natural objects around them. II il
me that educated people. school
Dards, etc. should SEQ that arithmetic
I'd geography are not tho only sciences /
orth studying. Agricultural societies
Guild help to educate the young people I
they would offer premiums for prof. 1
encv in natural science as well as Z
anufactured articles. -Erchdngc. IN