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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.
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SECURITY Not menaced by changes in international balances or de
pletion of the gold reserve.
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SECURITY Based on energetic conservatism and dignified , active man
agement.
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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.
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