Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-11-17

Botany ia usually regarded as very dull
and difficult study, even for advanced stu
dents, and OF course guile too dry and hard
for young children. This is all a mistake
Botany is really most fascinating study
for children or grown people. IL IL better
adapted than almost any other TO cultivate
the very faculties which are not stimulated
by other studies. The secret OF success
consists In making each student an inde-
pendent explorer ard discoverer. Taught
by an enthusiastic teacher, botany awak-
ems and strengthens powers of accurate OBJ
servatlon, acute perception and correct
classification, such as are needed 10 make
life useful and happy. The study of bot
any may be commenced at any time. The
best time Is early spring. Suppose we
start with family Of Young people from
seven years old TO 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 paper, and
writes minute description of it. Then
we put some seeds, or grains, such as
beans, Germs, oats, etc, In warm water TO
soak till the next day. AT the second les
son we open some OF these softened seeds,
and observe their internal 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 float
ing on tumbler of water. While waiting
"A few days for these 10 sprout, we bring up
from the cellar onions, potatoes, celery,
cabbages, etc. Each object Is examined
externally and internally, sketched and
described in writing. Some Of them are
planted in earth and put In warm places,
that we may study their growth. Looking
out of the windows, we examine each tree
and shrub In sight, sketching and descr!b-
ing twig, branch, trunk and bark and swell
ling bud. We cut cross sections, and com
pare them with cross sections of ban boo
or-palm stems, as seen in common fans.
We cut vertical sections, and compare
them with the wood used In making furni-
ture. The flowers and plants in the WIN
dow are sketched and described down TO
the most minute particulars. Now we be-
gin 10 study a book on botany. Our seeds
are beginning 10 germinate and illustrate
the first lessons, and our leader takes care
that In all our course olr investigations shall
keep In advance of our book lesson, that
We have the pleasure of making discoveries
and finding them confirmed. Each day we
reclte something previously learned; find
plants to illustrate it, and Others TO lead IN
the direction of the next lesson. Then
taking some plant Cf possible a complete
one from root 10 flower and seed), we ex-
anime, sketch and describe il. Then turn
ing 10 the analytical tables, we trace the
description till we determine the species.
We commit TO memory and recite some of
the distinguishing characteristics of tle
family, thus becoming so familiar with
them that i'll future we need not go through
with the tabular analysis. We press and
preserve specimens of all plants analyzed.
AS soon as possible we pursue our studies
in the fields and woods. In each of these
excursions we study one particular organ
or part Of a plant. sometimes collecting
the greatest possible variety of leaves, we
sit down and compare the different forms.
Sometimes we do the same with roots
Thus we learn great deal about plants
which we cannot analyze because some
part is lacking
In studying botany in the ordinary way
very little enthusiasm 10 awakened but,
studying 1t in the way described, vastly
more interest Is excited, and more know
ledge gained. A thousand beauties are
discovered which the books pass over uu-
noticed. ANY young person who has stu
died botany for single season could con-
dict class on the pan have described. 1t
is shame that country children should be
allowed 10 grow up ignorant of natural Oh
jects around them. Ii is time that edu-
Gated people. school boards, etc., should
see that arithmetic and geography are not
the only sciences worth studying. Agri-
cultural societies would help TO educate the
young people if they would offer premiums
for prof 'iency IN natural science as well as
manufactured articles.