St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-08-18
Nature knowledge Wanted.
Vermont Teachers Should Know Yer,
mont Fauna and Flora.


No branches of education so open W
and broaden the lives of those whose
lines are cast in country places as those
of botany, geology and ornithology
By the general mass of people these are
looked upon as belonging almost wholly
to an advanced or college education,
when in fact at least some elementary in
struction on these subjects should be
given in every country school. They do
not necessarily belong" exclusively to a
preparatory school or beyond it, but
should be at the disposal of all, says the
Hardwick Gazette.
The trouble is that we have been edu-
cated-or Notwithstanding the belief
that these have nothing to do with us in
ordinary country lives, but rather are a
sort of abstract finishing touches" to a
very advanced course with which we
have nothing in common. 1t is conceiv-
| ed as something very ornamental, but
not at all useful. AS matter Of fact,
the exact opposite is true
AS an illustration. We walk through
the woods or fields of our state with
friend, and, noticing peculiar and inter-
esting growth of rock, we ask with much
interest, what is that? We neither of
us know the name OF it, what variety of
soil it indicates or of what combinations
it is composed. If we knew, we would
often possess actually valuable informa-
ton. Every indigenous variety of rock
or stone is a book of frequently valuable
facts to us, closed beause we cannot read
it.
Our attention is attracted to plant
by the wayside. 1t is peculiar growth
and we do not know its name nor have
any information whatever about it.
Every plant has history and particular
uses. Quite likely it might be made val
liable to us if we knew its uses and what
it is good for" But the book is closed
to us and it is only weed" In a
stroll along the country places this ex-
perlence is continually recurring, and we
realize dimly that we have lost much by
not being able to read the simplest line
in the primary book of nature.
We listen interestedly to the note of a
bird, but it conveys nothing to us except
underlined pleasure in the voice of the un-
known singer. We do not know the
species of the bird, it's simple history,
where is its home, what it subsists on or
even its name. One of the most interest
ing chapters in the surrounding life of
our everyday existence is closed to us be.
cause OF our ignorance.
Not only are these things of interest to
US, but they contain within themselves
the potency of immense value. A certain
rock may indicate that it is a variety
which always carries valuable mineral
Any one or all of hundred different
plants which grow by the wayside might
be specific for disease. 1t would be
well to know the name and habits of our
teathered friend, that we might know
when to expect him in the spring, where
and how he builds his nest and if he
feeds on grain and fruit or harmful
insects.
We want to know the name and
character of the man who speaks to us
on the street; why not the same of the
bird?
The writer speaks from sorrowful ex-
perience. He had no opportunity to
acquire information on these subjects in
his youth, and much of the pleasure
which comes from his love Of the great
out-ofdoors has been lost to him. In
these later days there is no excuse for
ignorance of these things of familiar
everyday life. Some elementary knowl- |
edge Of them, at least, should be taught
IN every country school. These subjects,
in familiar and elementary form. at
least, should be included in the qualifi-
cations OF every would be-teacher. An
instructor of the young who cannot dis
tinguish between a wood thrush and a
whippoorwill and between pine and dog
wood has no business trying to tell
Vermont child any thing. Teaching comic
sections when one doesn't know the diff |
ference between granite and limestone
marks very much unfinished mental
apartment
. 1t competent instructions on these sub
Jects is not available, then there are
well written and reliable elementary |
manuals within the reach of all. Much |
valuable self-instruction can thus be OBJ
tanned. However, teachers should be re-
CURED to give instruction in those
branches which are most valuable and
necessary to the pupil. 1t seems to be a
plain duty. Certainly we should take
a little pride in informing ourselves on
those subjects which will go so far tos>
ward broadening our view of life and
it more pleasant, profitable
and In every way enjoyable.