Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-09-24
From the National Educator.
What to Teach In Geography.
COMMON SENSE VIEW.

COMMON SENSE VIEW.
Too much time is epent in many
schools on geography. Children stu
dy geography, geography geography,
for years and years,-the primary,
the common school, the intermediate.
the advanced, &c. The minutig,
little, unimportant matters, which no.
body remembers nor cares to remem-
Der, are dwelt on too much. There
should be revolution in teaching,
new apportionment of time, more of
1t devoted to language, aud less to
geography. The essentials of geog-
raphy can be taught in a compara-
lively brief time, and these are real
ly ell that is necessary.
To illustrate what we mean, we
subjoin lesson on States, the differ
ent States of the Union have each
some special characteristics. These
should be known and, therefore,
taught as one of the essentials in the
geography OF our country, to the ex-
clusion of much that is irrelevant.
Missouri is first in the variety ands
value of its minerals, and ranks next
to California in grapes aud wine.
Michigan is first in copper, sawed
lumber, and orchard products.
Wisconsin and Minnesota are noted
for their lakes, and lumber, dry and
bracing atmosphere, abundant waterS
power, and great wheat farms
Iowa, is a fertile, rolling prairie
State, second in corn aud hogs.
Kansas and Nebraska are farming
and grazing States, the Kansas Pacif.
ic Railroad passing through the for
mer, and the Union Pacific through
the latter.
Dakota is crossed by the Northern
Pacific Railroad, aud the Missouri
River flows through it diagonaIly for
distance of about one thousand
miles 1t contains some of the best
OF wheat lands and much open pla-
teau and prairie well adapted to graz
ing.
South Carolina, sometimes called
The Palmetto State" produces moro
rice than any oILer State Of the
Union, and, fYr its size, is the first
State of the South in miles Of rail-
road.
Georgia is the leading manufactur.
ing State of the South
Florida is great winter resort.
In climate and productions it is not
unlike the West Indies.
Alabama is the terminal State of
the Appalachian System in the South
aud has extensive deposits of coal and
iron.
Mississippi, like the States that
border it on the west, is noted for
its bottom" lands and bayous.
1t is first. for its size. in cotton.
Louisiana is the first sugar State.
Texaa is tte largest State of the
Union. Il is also first in cattle and
cotton.
Arkansas is rich in undeveIoped
resources 1t is noted for its mineral
springs.
Tennessee is noted for its minerals
and marbles. Like North Caroline,
it abounds 10 beautiful mountain seem
cry. .
Indian Territory is set apart for
the use of various tribes Of Iudians,
many Of whom once lived east Of the
Mississippi. The eastern PORTION is
crossed by railroad. and eojoys a
certain degree of civilization. Table
quah is the capital of The Cberokees
California, noted for its big trees
and vegetables, majestic seenery. odd
State Park, ranks first 10 quickSRe Reef.
vineyards, aud barley. and produces
great quantities of wheat and wool. )
Oregon aud Washingtop, Territory,
have the same coast features, Ia
heavy rainfall. magnificent forests
(from which the finest masts and
spars 10 the world are obtained), pro-
ductive fisheries, and, in the valleys
of the Willamette and Puget Sound,
the only important outlets Of com.
merce north of San Francisco.