Evening star., 1902-08-20
STUDY OF LIVE THINGS
Project Of the Secretary of
Agriculture.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TO BE FURNISHED WITH PLANT
AND FLOWER SEEDS.
instruction on Principles of Germina-
ton to Be Given and an In
terest Excited.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

slastfc supervision of Prof Galloway, chief
of the bureau of plant industry the long
despised and much -maligned congressional
seed distribution is to be made factor in
the education of American youth and the
chief promoter of that nature study so
earnestly ADVOCATED by Secretary Wilson.
In his address to the national educational
convention, held by the teachers of America
at Minneapolis last July, Secretary Wilson
urged upon the teachers the expediency Of
Incorporating with the course of study
taught in the common schools the first
principles of agriculture, but he did not
disclose the method which he has now per-
fected by which the seed distribution is to
be made a means to that end.
Nature study, as defined by Prof. Gallo
way. is the study of live things. as con-
trasted with the study of dead things, and
is virtually a study of the first rudiments of
agriculture. Under the system which is to
be inaugurated this year large quantities
of seed are to be distributed free. on con-
gressional order, of course, to the school
children of the country. Accompanying
the seeds will be circulars giving directions
for their cultivation. etc, and 1t is the De
lief of Secretary Wilson that a liberal edu-
cation may be impaired by the Intelligent
teacher to the pupils in her charge py
means of the window gardens and little
gardon plats in which these seeds Will be
grown.
Principles of termination.
Simple instruction in the principles of ger
mination will be made doubly interesting by
the object lessons which will be before the
children's eyes The difference between the
methods of termination of wheat and beans
for instance, will convey an insight into the
mysteries of nature which could be but
poorly taught from books. AS the plants
and hriNv
which they are sure to receive at the hands
of the interested pupils those processes by
which the elements of soil and air are util-
lied and converted into plant cells will be
explained by the teacher and absorbed by
the pupils not only without effort, but with
pleasure.
Even the ills to which the little gardens
are certain to fall heir are capable of con-
version into sources of knowledge. The
powers of observation of the children will
be called into play in detecting the cause of
the dropping flower or mutilated leaf and
the search for the minute insect must re-
suit in an interest in the first principles of
entomology, although called by that name
1t would have terrors for the average child.
The vast store of information compiled by
the Department of Agriculture and present
ed by means of the popular farmers bulle-
tins and simple publications on individual
pests and diseases Of plants will be placed
at the teachers command and with their
help the trouble may be determined and the
teaching the habits of the tiny insects
which can play such havoc and also opening
up, at least to the older students, the field
OF applied chemistry.
In a word, that nature study which is
promoted by the care for growing plants is
the highest development of the principles
first enunciated by Froebel. BY it every
faculty of the child is called into play and
an immense fund of information is acquired
without effort and by pleasant means.
Tho
1.-THE highest aim Of the educator should
be to educate the people. and all of them,
along lines of the greatest usefulness to
them and the commonwealth" said Secre-
tary Wilson, addressing the teachers con-
yention, and therein lies the Secretary's
interest in the project outlined above. He
believes that 1t will be the means of en-
couraging an interest in agriculture and
of laying the foundation in many fiuvenile
minds for more advanced agricultural edu-
cation. He anticipates that it will have
the effect of inspiring In the farmers boy
fess!on and of cultivating the habit Of
close observation so necessary to the sue
cessful agriculturist.
A still further development of this fea-
ture of the seed distribution will consist
Of distributing, in small lots, large Quanti-
ties Of tiny trees. Great care will be exer-
cised in the selection of varieties so there
will be every likelihood that those sent out
will live. In so far as possible these trees
will be sent to the various schools and the
pupils will be encouraged to plant and care
for them. By this means it Is believed
many now unattractive school yards NAV
be converted into beautiful grounds and al
ways the educational feature Of their cul-
tivation will be made the most Of by the
teachers. Thus, the first principles of
forestry will be inculcated, love of trees
hl Inn, ,Iaf1 tod In oh Ilc1
Arbor day will come to be practically ceIe-
brated in every city and village in the
country.
Engender Attachment of Children.
A further advantage Of the cultivation of
both trees and flowers will be the attach
ment for their schools, which will engender
in the hearts of the children an attach
ment which will endure even during the
summer months, and a new interest will
have been created which will help to fur
nish useful employment and entertainment
through the long vacations. This feature
is regarded with especial favor by the sec
retary and his advisors, and it is hoped
that 1t will assist in keeping the surround
ings of the school house especially in the
small village, in far better condition than
would otherwise be possible. A further de-
velopment of the project includes a flower |
show for the early fall when the pupils |
either individually or by classes, will en-
ter the results of their summers and, per-
haps. their years work, in friendly compe-
tition, and even without the aid of prizes |
the keenest interest will be melted.
1t should be understood that all seeds, |
trees, etc, will be distributed on the re- |
quest of Individual congressman as here
tofore, but some slight experience of the |
officials of the department warrants the |
conclusion that congressman will find no |
more satisfactory method of distributing |
their quota of seeds than through the |
schools. 1t is a well recognized fact that |
the politician who has gained the earnest |
support of the children of his district kss |
won more than half the battle, and it is a |
reasonable conclusion that the representa-
tive or senator who donates the where |
withal for the schools gardens will be |
called blessed by every pupil and his |
praises will be sung by the little ones |
without ceasing. 1t is realization OF this
that has inspired Secretary Wilson ard
Professor Galloway to do so much toward
the perfection of the project, together with |
the fact that every educator who has
been consulted on the subject has been en-
thusiastic in its praises.