Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-02-25
AN AGASsH ASSOCIATION.
A Call to the Children OF Fort Wortl-How They
Can Add to the Attractions OF the Spring Pal

A Call to the Children OF Fort WOrtl-HOw They
Can Add to the Attractions OF the Spring Pal
ace
There is at present in this country an
association for the advancement Of
science, intended especially for the bene-
fit of the young, which is so admirable in
its nature and organization that the
children of Fort Worth and their parents
can do nothing better than to organize q
chapter here under the same name. The
AgassiZ association numbers at present
goo. chapters in nearly as many cities,
with about 5000 members, which are dis
tributed over the United States
with few in South America and Europe
OF the many educational associations for
independent study, this is the only one
dealing exclusively in the natural science,
devoting itself principally to the scientific
education of young people. In its method
of work it endeavors to embody the spirits
of that noble teacher whose name it bears,
that is, the study of science by means of
actual acquaintance with the objects
themselves rather than by printed repre-
sensations and descriptions of them.
The general working method in these
societies is about in this way: 1t is en-
tirely conducted by the children them
selves, who elect their own president,
secretary, treasurer, etc.
The chapters are generally divided in
this way: Some children make speciality
of the study of flowers. They join to
make botanical chapter: others study
insects and form an chronological chap
ter; a third chapter might be in geology,
ETC., while at the same time they are all
under one great union-the Agassiz
ASSOCIATION.
There is generally one meeting a week
when some of the children read or recite
some three or five minute essay on what
they have observed, say a strange bird,
or a special fossil, or a beauti-
full flower, etc. It will at once
be seen that this study tends
to make children observing and thought
full. One afternoon of each week, if the
weather permits, stroll is taken into
the field, along the nearest brook or upon
the hill, gathering whatever attracts the
attention of the children. The flowers
found are preserved and studied, the
roots aud fossils are cleaned aud CLASH
fed; the insects prepared and birds and
animals mounted-and soon the children
get into the possession of good museum
The monthly fee is 10 cents for
each child, which money is
used for the purpose of buying mi
croscopes, cabinets, etc. for the society.
There is a chapter at presentin this city
composed OF members of the high school,
and some of the members of the Warren
institute pursued field studies last year on
the same plan.
If we succeed in establishing chapter
in Fort Worth we may have a nice col
lection for exhibition by the time the
Spring Palace opens, and why cannot the
children likewise do something toward
making the Spring Palace a success? An
exhibition of the natural history of Fort
Worth can be made TO be of great inter
est to visitors, especially if everything is
nicely arranged.
The children, boys and girls, who are
interested in the establishment of an
Agassiz association at Fort Worth, and
likewise teachers and others interested,
are invited TO meet at The private museum
of Rev. n. Schultz. corner of First and
Burnet street, next Wednesday, Febru-
airy 81, at $3.50 in the afternoon Mr.
Schultz, who is a member of the Agassiz
association and other scientific societies,
assisted by some ladies. viii give every
Wednesday afternoon from 3 to o CLOCK
TO the children, going with them either
into the field or showing them how to
press flowers, mount insects, etc. Tie
matter of insect nests, botanical eases,
etc, viii be explained at the first meet
ing. Spring is coming and If we are TO
have society at all, it is well to begin
with the early flower, the early bird and
the early butterfly.