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About The Conservative (Nebraska City, Neb.) 1898-1902 | View Entire Issue (April 10, 1902)
, / ; > 7' * i'TT * " 7it * > Bi r T' "jrv v , " * /x "rv" ' V * iT1' / , , < * ' . " ' ' > * ; , - > , - . Conservative , 9 NATURE STUDY AND LIFE. "Nature Study and Lifo"is , the title of a timely volume on a subject that just now is receiving much at tention from educators in different parts of the country. In this new movement New York has led the way. According to Prof. Bailey , of Cornell , the express purpose of the movement in Now York is to solve the rural problem , to stem the tide of immigration from the country to the cities. From the purely educational stand point nature study means a new em phasis on the pupil's environment. The reasons , are very good. An indi vidual thinks of his past experience and his habits of thought are con stantly influenced by his surround ings and the experiences of his daily life. Any system of education that ignores these fundamental principles is wrong in spirit and wasteful in practice. In several states nature study lias been identified with secondary educa tion in agriculture. . State Superin tendent Harvey , of Wisconsin , has made some valuable contributions to the literature of this subject. Of agri cultural education for rural and vil lage schools he says : ' ' The country boy and girl should have opportuni ties in the schools open to them and which they are able to attend for se curing a more intimate knowledge of the things with which they are likely to bo concerned in after life , than is now afforded. They have a right not only to this knowledge , butte to the kind of training necessarily required in securing it. ' ' Dr. Hodge's point of view is more comprehensive than any of these. In a way his scheme includes all these. According to Dr. Hodge's theory nature study may and probably will help to solve the rural problem , it will put the needed emphasis on the child's environment and educate him through his experiences , and it will servo as a basis for agricultural edu cation in the secondary schools. But the fundamental principle on which he bases nature study is basic to all these. It is man's relation to nature , the problem of civilization. Of the cultivation of plants ho says : "Cultivation of plants indi cated and developed elements of char acter fundamental to civilized life. When wo consider its universal and fundamental character in relation to civilization and human advancement , the omission of soil lore from a system of education of the young is suggestive of relapse to barbarism. To allow a child to grow up withoul planting a seed or rearing a plant is a crime against civilized society , and our armies of tramps aud hordes of hoodlums areamong the first fruits of an'educational system that slights this important matter. " The subject matter is unusually rich and the method of presentation excellent. Dr. Hedge has something of value to say and the way of saying too. The book lias great practical value. All the plans and theories given have stood the crucial test of n-actice in the public schools of Wor cester. Dr. Hedge has developed a good working plan for the study of laturo and he gives it with a fullness of detail that will be very helpful to busy teachers. To my mind however , the chief value of this book is not in its prac- iical usefulness , nor yet in its subject matter , rich and varied as that is , jut rather in its suggestive stimulat ing quality. Dr. Hodge's nature study is of the active out door variety and this quality he has imparted to lis book. There are many beautiful illustra tions. The first one ' ' An Old Now England Homestead , " is peculiarly appropriate. New England has al ready given many naturalists to the world. She gives ono more whoso theme is "Nature Study and Life. " There is throughout that blond of hard , practical , common sense and poetic interpretation that marks the New Englaudor as a genius. LOUISA McDERMOTT. Breen , Colo. GENERAL STEVENS. In reviewing a biography of General - oral Isaac I. Stevens , in the Conner- vativo of March 27th , wo spoke of his death in a way that might mis lead a reader as to the rank ho hold at that time. He was , of course , a major general and in command of a division , though ho was leading his old regiment , the 79th Highlanders , in a charge when lie fell. IMPORTANT WORK. The United States Department of Agriculture has just issued a work of absorbing interest , dealing with Apoplectiform Septicemia in chick ens. This we can heartily recom mend to all our chicken-hearted friends. Wo cannot at this moment recall having road a more pleasing essay on this particular Nonpyagenic Streptococcus. It is sold for the low price of ten cents , which any one will admit is cheap for any kind' of a Streptococcus. . - THE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK. RICHARD A. McCURDY , President. LEADS THEM ALL In Amount Paid Policy-holders over Five Hundred and Sixty-nine Millions of Dollars. In Assets Over Three Hundred and Fifty-two Millions of Dollars. ; In Insurance in Force in America over One Billion Dollars. ' , ' 111 Active Age Founded in 1843 , Fifty-nine Years Ago' ITS NAME IS A SYNONYM FOR SECURITY The first element desired by investors. SECURITY Independent of crop failures , panics , strikes or wars. SECURITY Not menaced by changes in international balances or de pletion of the gold reserve. SECURITY For the future based upon a successful past. SECURITY Guaranteed by uninterrupted fidelity to a great trust. SECURITY Based on energetic conservatism and dignified , active man agement. SECURITY Unimpaired by risks in uuhealthful climates or on vicious or sub-standard lives. For information as to rates , policy plans , etc. , call on or address W. B. CARLILE , Manager. Telephone Main 2054. Tacoma Building. Agents in all prominent cities and towns in the United States. " - > .s. < r TV"