The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-17
STUDY OF NATURE
Meeting at A. & M. Friday
Which Showed Great
Enthusiasm.


PRODUCTION of Nature Study has met in
the various schools throughout the
State where the teachers have adopted
such study, points to a widespread in
PRODUCTION of this subject in the imme-
date future. The history of nature
study in the United States is brief and
its advent in North Carolina is mat
ter of still more recent occurrence.
During the past year, however, many
teachers in diverse communities III
both cities and country are taking up
the study of nature with their child
fen; often informally and during re-
cess and out-of-school hours. All
teachers who have attempted to add
this bit of condiment to the curriculum
report great enthusiasm among the
boys and girls and sympathetic en-
enlargement from the parents.
So widespread has become the in
terest IN this subject that it was deem
ed wise to organize a State Society for
the promotion of Nature Study. To
TINS end a meeting was called in Prim-
rose Hall at the A. & M. College last
Friday. superintendent RagSdale, of
Pitt county, acting as temporary chair.
man, and Mrs. r. L. Stevens of the A.
q Nj. College, as secretary. Superin-
sympathy with the movement and
spoke highly of the beneficial in
huence the Nature Study in the schools
as means of culture, as well as the
service it does in arouSing enthusiasm
and interest in the school work. State
superintendent j. Y. Joyner assured
those present of his hearty co-opera-
ton, both officially and personally,
with the movement.
A short address was made nv Nh. r
Fl. BuSbee of Raleigh. Mr.. Busbee
called attention to the fact that he had
been advocating the study of nature
in the schools since 1881, and that his
faith in the movement constituted.
DIR. f. l.. Stevens, of the A. & M.
College, pointed out the benefits to be
gained from organization: ID The
stimulus derived from the fact of or
ganization; CD The fact that organ
ization would probably bring about
the publication of nature study bulle-
tins or leaflets, such as have done so
much good in other States; (3) The
possibility after organization of eStab-
fishing an exchange bureau SO that
each teacher will enjoy the opportun-
ity of exchanging duplicate specimens
with other schools; Cd The aid
which would be lent to the teachers by
the creation of the board of advisers.
1t was proposed that the State So
ciety secure the cooperation of spe
cialists in each department of Natural
Science and to the specialists the
teachers would be at liberty to write
any question of Nature
Study about which they feel the need
of advice. The following We're sug-
gested to constitute the board of adj
visers if their cooperation can be Sc
cured:
: Birds-T. Gilbert Pearson, Normal
and Industrial College, Greensboro,
n. c.
Naming and Identification of Plants,
Seeds and Plant Diseases-F. l.. Stew
ems. Professor of Botany A. & M. Col
lege, West Raleigh.
Minerals and Geology--Collier Cobb,
Professor of Geology, University OF
North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. c.
Soils-C. K. McClelland, Assistant
Professor of Agriculture, a. & M. Col
lege, West Raleigh, N. c..
Mammals-Mr. c. S. Brimley, State
Museum, Raleigh, n. G.
Livermorts and Mosses-W. C.
Coker, Professor of Botany University
of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, n. c.
Stock and Crops-C. w. Burkett
Professor of Agriculture a. & M. Col
lege, West Raleigh, n. G.
Algae and Protozoa-W. L. Poteat
Professor OF Biology, wake foreSt
College, Wake Forest. n. c.
Methods of Teaching Nature Study
Mrs. f. L. Stevens, West Raleigh,
n. c..
Astronomy = Professor Lanneau,
Professor of Astronomy, Wake Forest
College, Wake Forest, n. G.
Physics-C. w. Edwards, Professor
of Physics, Trinity College, Durham
N. c..
Insects and Injuries Caused by
Them-F'ranllin Sherman, Jr., State
Fntomologist, Raleigh, n. c.
Following these addresses the con-
stitution was adopted and the society
permanently organized. The consti-
tuition adopts the name of THE Ma
ture Study Society of North Carolina"
and provides for four classes of men,
bers: Members paying no dues; active
members paying ten cents yearly; hon
orary members paying one dollar; and
patrons paying ten dollars. 1t provides
that any three teachers in one coun-
ty may organize county charters, and
any three people in any school district
NAV organize district chapters.
An enrolment, of more than one
hundred paying members was made
at this meeting with almost absolute
assurance that the membership will