Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1903 — NATURE STUDY FOR SCHOOLS. [ARTICLE]

NATURE STUDY FOR SCHOOLS.

Secretary Wilson Anxious to Make Farmers of All Children. Secretary of Agriculture Wilson is planning to make farmers of all public School children in the United States, or at least to instruct them-in the elements of plant life. There is a scarcity -of scientific farmers in the country, and as it requires years to train them thoroughly the Secretary of Agriculture has adopted a practical plan of interesting the public school children of both sexes in this great work. "The science of agriculture is so broad,” enthusiastically exclaimed the Secretary, “that'it is impossible to teach practical and scientific fanning in the four years' training we are giving many of our bright young then. “Therefore, the element of plant life Should be taught to children along with the other lessons. They shonld be instructed how to graft, advised as to the properties of the soil, taught the elements of gemination and the importance of moisture in the soil, the reasons why the soil should contain moisture, and be told why the coil shonld be worked when crops are growing. “These are simple and interesting matters and can be comprehended by children. Teachers in normal schools and pupils in these schools should be given Instructions end practical experience on these points so as to enable them to impart this knowledge when they take charge of classes in our public educational institutions.” " The public school teachers should, when porsible, according to the Secretary, instruct their pupils when the teachers are correctly informed. They shonld encourage children to take plants, roots, flowers, and bugs to school for the purpoee of studying them