The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-30

to aeort the situation and are 10th to have Nj. Potts get on their racks. It was found that there were a few children living on the borders of the town who have been practically debarred from shool privileges. Tuition for these has been cheerfully paid by the Ladies Anna teur Musical Club. which gives it's an nual surplus of funds for some charity. Press and Library Help.
 When something new Is to be attempt ed the influence of the press Is solicited. The newspapers have ever been ready to give their services and have greatly help- ed in explaining and popularizing new plans. When a certain thing Is under consideration in the schools the public library Is informed. The librarians kind 1y hunt up and put in an accessible place whatever may be helpful to either teach CTS or pupils Sometimes matter Is bought especially for the purpose. When difficult affairs are to be undertaken and financial assistance or influence Is needed appeals to the Bloomington Business Mems Asso- citation have brought about good results. Not only the knitting together of out side factors for the support of the schools has been going on. but internal changes for the better have been brought about. The course of study has been greatly en- riched by broad supplementary reading. The supplementary reading list has been
 
 CTS each. These are in charge of the Secretary of the Board of Education and are passed from school to school on the circulating library an. In addition the Bloomington Withers public library has provided two sets of biographical history and is willing to do more. Instead of reading one or two readers in a grade classes now read from three to six.
 All children cannot be successfully in- terested in literary studies; all cannot ex- pect to make living by literary work; all cannot stay in school long enough to complete the literary work; besides. when it is all said and done. literary work does not provide all that is necessary for the training and symmetrical development of Yet the public schools should provide something that will sympa- medically touch the lives of every child within their influence.
 The plan of nature study has taken better direction. The study of life his- tories of plants and animals Is consid cred the paramount thing before which scientific names. analyses and classified tion for children pale.
 In the spring of 1902 quantity of seeds. plants and bulbs. with directions for growing during the summer. wefe given out. In October the plants or cut flowers were gathered for an exhibit, which proved a pleasing surprise to all con- cerned, and won many commendatory re- marks from patrons. This spring a pound of assorted fine China aster seeds. which gave a small packet to every grade pupils in Bloomington, was distrib- uted. It is hoped to have an aster show in the fall.
 Heretofore in only one or two yards was there any attempt at raising flow CTS or in any way beautifying the premises. Last year every school had its flower beds which grew luxuriantly This year the plans have been enlarged Under the direction of the janitors the larger boys prepared the beds. Some of these were assigned to the special care of individual rooms. which planted and are expected to tend them during the season.
 Beautify Their Homes.
 Pupils who are interested in plant-rais- ing and the beautifying of unsightly places at school carry home the idea and attempt to put 1t into practice there. Thus they are benefited not only by the ac- quaintance with plant life. but by the beginning of a general culture. which the pupils have utilized for a vegetable garden. The proceeds from the sale of early vegetables last year were put into pictures for the adornment of the build ing.
 At Franklin school Is a hot bed made by the boys in the upper grammar grades. In this 300 or 400 cannas, 200 dahlias; in short about $75 worth of bedding plants were preserved. The janitor of Lincoln school raised 200 young salvias from seeeds There was a generous response from the pupils when they were asked to start geranium slips at home. one school-Lincoln-furns POO. These and others have been used in the diff ferent yards for bedding plants.
 In the spring toads' and frogs eggs are brought into the primary rooms for the children to watch the stages of de- velopment via the tadpole route. In the fall caterpillars are collected, the spin ming of the cocoons observed and then they are preserved until their wonderful change In the spring.
 In the library of the high school build ing this spring a hive of bees was so arranged that the pupils could observe the working bees, the queen, the drones and every stage of the honey making. This was watched with great interest by hundreds of children from different parts of the city.
 For the accommodation of those whose time is limited and who expect to enter the business world. a business course in- cluding stenography and typewriting has beeen added to the high school course.
 Manual Training Introduced.
 To the delight of all the children, and especially those who can never excel in literature, in the learned professions CD in business, manual training is now creep ing into the Bloomington public schools. In 1901 the patrons of Emerson school took the lead by equipping in fair way a shop for working in wood. For a little extra pay the janitor, who is a mechanic, agreed to take charge of 1t and the eighth grade boys. The following year Irving school followed suit. with an outfit fur nished by Henry Behr, member of the Board; Miss Cora Hamilton primary su pervisor; Miss Belle Gowdy, principal of the building. and Superintendent Stable ton. Here the work is also done under the leadership of the janitor, Much in terest was aroused and the public senti- ment was so strong that the Board of Education engaged a regular teacher to take charge of the work of the seventh and eighth grades and the high school and supervise the work of the fifth and sixth grades The man selected was T. l.. Adams, who took special training at