New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-02
THEIR cHARGEs-sUGGEsTED 50

| THE BUREAU OF NATURE STUDY WOULD shND
K1xpERcARrNERs TO THE swAMPs WITH
THEIR cHARGEs-sUGGEsTED SCHEME.
| Tho Rureau OF Nature Study OF Cornell Cnver-
s,tv,s College OF Agriculture has devised scneme
70 develop the interest OF kindergarten ana puohc
school children in swamp life that Is pretty sure
10 bring down the wrath OF dainty mothers on the
devoted heads Of Chief l. II. Bailey Deputy Johh
W Spencer and Mary F. Rogers. the Instructor
IN natural history The decentralization OF shoes and
stockings threatens TO extend to every primary
and kindergarten school in the State. and prinei-
pals and teachers are expected TO cooperate Win
the Cornell conspiracy.
Here are some OF the questions that the chlldreh
are TO try to answer correctly in letters on which
the hostage is 10 be paid by Cornell the SUBJECT
being the development OF toads eggs found IN
some nearby swamp:
can you tell some points Of difference between
the frog and the toad?'
(which one do you think can travel the faster!
Why?"
when Won are passing a pond in which frog or
toad is singing do you know which il is? How
Il am wondering just what you will see when
the eggs are Matched. ! wish you would draw a
picture Of this little creature soon as II appears
and send II TO me- that see II II looks Ike
a toad.
please write your name. the name OF your
school the number OF your class and the name and
address OF your teacher the close OF your letter
Professor Spencer signs the queries. he also
writes to principals. asking 20 have the matter
submitted with friendly recommendations. 70 their
| teachers. and promising that so much Of the work
will done q Ithaca that there will be no serious
addition 10 the duties OF already oyerworked in
structors To the teachers he makes these sugges-
lions:
in the sprngtime it IS often difficult to find
busy work that will keep children employed for
any length Of time. This Is the season when some
thing in nature study might bring a new interest
into the schoolrOom afford material for keeping the
idle youngsters at work and yet not add very
much 10 the labors OF the teacher. We would ask
that the children be permitted TO write 10 us at
times when they have completed assigned lessons.
II the teacher will place IN the room simple box
containing opening for the insertion Of letters.
the pupils will probably take interest in mailing
what they have written and later the contents Of
the box can be sent 10 This work need not be
CORE ted in any way; we prefer the natural
preston OF the children We think that placing
the blackboard the following suggestions for the
study Of the toad will give the young people some
food Tor thought. and stimulate in them desire
to write II the boys and girls Will open the cor
respondence with US. viii reply telling them
how TO get the toad TO tell his story"
Then. writing direct to the children Professor
Spencer makes a plea that Is most adroit in It's
appeal to young hearts:
Here is some pleasant news for ambitious boys
and girls. To each member OF the Junior Natural
lists Club who completes a certain amount Of work
in nature study which We have prepared We will
send a Cornell button or badge that will indicate
his standing a naturalist. I believe every pupil
will try TO obtain this acknowed Judgment from the
university. We wish you would consult with your
: teacher about forming club possible.
We you to elect & president who shall preside
at all your meetings and be the official head Of
the organization a secretary who shall have charge
Of the correspondence and a treasurer. whose
chief duty II Will he to render an account Of post
age paid letters sent 10 Us and 10 whom We
shall remit the amount We hope the dues. con-
( slsting Of one letter each week. VIII always be
promptly paid. You see are not asking you 20
pay yous IN money. so we are sure you VIII
try 10 send the letter as request. We shall
try to make the topics for study interesting
that you will not find this difficult task. When