The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-04-08
Nature Study.
HINTS ON NATURE STUDY FOR MOTHERS
AND TEACHERS.

4rs' II L' Stevens West Raleigh, IN. @.
Correspondence OFThe Progressive Farmer.
Argument for nature study lie no
longer necessary. Mothers wish TO
know how TO direct their children TO
see and feel the wonderful life about
them. Every teacher is fully alive
TO the demand for nature study in
the school room. The question that
both mothers and teachers are ask
ing "How shall / begin?" Chow can
/ prepare myself for this workP"
The lover of nature will tell you TO
go out into the woods and fields and
learn lessons direct from the Great
Teacher. That means little to one
whose eyes have been dulled by
years of n~on-seeing. Contact with
nature supplemented by association
with some of the pioneers in this
field of nature study through their
writings is one of the surest ways TO
get a grasp upon the subject. It Is
then TO some of the writer's of this
line that I would direct your at
tention.
First there r a number of books
that / shall designate as knowledge
books for parents, teachers or chill
dren. ''Eye Spy" and "Sharp Eyes,P
published by Harper Bros, New
York, are unrivalled in artistic illus
tration and the CLOSE intimacy into
which the author has come with
nature. In his "Eye Spy" Mr.. Glib
son has confined himself more strict,
ly to the freaks of insect life ''Sharp
Eyes" is really a calendar of seasons,
noting the changes in plant and ami
NAL life that come with the passing
of the months.
Another nature writer who inter
ests both young and old with his
interesting animal studies and keen
appreciation of the quaint ways of
wood folk, is John Burroughs. In
his "Riverby" and his more recent
Squirrels and other Fur bearing
Animals" published by Houghton,
Mifain & Co., Boston, he has illus
trated what is meant by the term
Gin touch with nature" Other books
by Mr.. Burroughs are well worthy
of mention, but these are represen-
tative.
Longs "Ways of Wood Folk"
Wilderness Ways and Secrets of
the Woods" published by CHM g
Co., Boston, are most charming in
style and introduce the reader TO
some of our shy neighbors in fur.
The books stand for good literature
and scientific accuracy.
Equally fine in style is Frank M
Chapman's "Bird Life published
by D. Appleton & Co., New York.
1t is comprehensive but not labori-
Gus in it's treatment, is beautifully
illustrated and is quite the book for
a family library. Olive Thorne Mil
Ter has also added much to the knowl-
edge of birds, their interesting habits
and cunning ways. One of her re-
cent books, "The First Book of
Birds" published by Houghton,
Mifain & Co., deals with the sooio-
logical side of bird life and is most
sympathetic in it's treatment. An
other delightful, readable book on
birds has been written by MI. T.
Gilbert Pearson, of this State. In
his stories of bird life he has shown
a close intimacy with the birds he
has introduced into his STORIES and
has in a most subtle way suggested
a moral lesson without forcing the
subject upon she reader. B F. John
son g. Co., are the publishers of this
little book.
"First Studies in Plant Life" by
Atkinson, published by CHM & Co,
has been written with the view of
bringing the life processes of the
plant within the reach of the child.
The book both in style and presenta-
ton is admirably adapted as a text
book for school use or 1t may be
used TO good advantage by the reader
at home. Bailey's "Plant Studies"
(Ginn g. Coz, is still another book
that will interest both the young
naturalist and older students of
plants. "Plants and Their Children"
by Mrs. Dana is a choice little book
for the young botanist. This book
is published by American Book Co.
"'Ten Common Trees" by Susan
Stokes is a delightful introduction to
the subject of forest trees. (Ameri-