The Plumas County Institute. Superintendent Donnelley called his Institute this year for the week beginning October 8th, and provided a program for four days' work. It has long been customary for the Institute in this Alpine region to be ushered in by a rainstorm; but this year the heavens smiled and the teachers were glad. Quincy, the county seat, is in the midst of a valley of green meadows, walled in by the jagged mountain ranges of the high Sierras. These ranges are clothed by heavy forests of pine and cedar, with a plentiful undergrowth of dogwood, oak and maple. In October this undergrowth takes on its most vivid autumnal colors-brilliant reds and yellows, lavenders, salmons, pinks and all the possible intermediate tints. These colors flaming o'er all the landscape, with the somber pines for a background, make a wonderful sight, worth a trip to the mountains to see.

Every

The most striking feature of the Institute was the way the local teachers took part in it. one was placed on the program; and everyone, besides performing her regular duty, took part in the discussions; and nearly everyone besides took part in the musical exercises. This made things go off with a cheerful unanimity that was pleasant to see. Another pleasant thing was to see the interest taken in the Institute by the PEOPLE of the country. Many of the leading citizens and county officers, including the Superior Judge, were regular in their attendance; and some came from a distance of forty miles and remained for all the sessions.

Superintendent Donnelley himself is a ready and forcible speaker, and he led many of the discussions himself with happy effect. He was accompanied this year by his piquant and entirely delightful wife, "she that was Katie Mullen." Those whose memories go back half a dozen years will remember her as a graduate of the San Jose Normal and as a county superintendent herself. She is still known and loved all over Plumas County.

For outside workers the Institute had the Hon. Frank J. Browne of Berkeley and Superintendent Edward Hyatt of Riverside County. Professor Browne spoke on history, urging larger, wider plans of teaching it; on language, pointing out the use of stories in language work; and on geography, introducing the rudiments of all the sciences in regular geography work. He delivered an evening lecture on Shakspeare from a psychological standpoint that was highly appreciated by teachers, and people, too.

Superintendent Hyatt has become a familiar friend rather than an institute instructor to the teachers of Plumas County. He was kept busy by consultations on the various troubles that had actually come up, in schools, and in arranging various exchanges and correspondences for the future. His work before the Institute on the teaching of English on the management of school

libraries and on the care of school property was vigorous and lively, and it was very kindly received.

An unusual honor was conferred upon one of the new teachers, Miss Tillie Kruger, in making her the orator for an evening lecture. Miss Kruger is a recent graduate of the University of Nevada, and is at present teaching in the Greenville school. Her theme was an eulogy of President McKinley. She was greeted by a crowded house, and delivered her oration with dignity and to the pleasure and satisfaction of her hearers.

Report on the Study of Agriculture in our Schools Made to State Grange.

BY C. W. CHILDS.

Agriculture, with its various subdivisions, has always been in civilized countries the most important work of man. In ancient times it was the art of all arts, and in some countries, as Egypt and Assyria, the water of rivers was used to good advantage in the cultivation of the soil. It is only in modern times, however, that this great subject has been studied scientifically, and now it is receiving the attention of some of the best minds in the world.

A mere enumeration of the subdivisions of the United States' Department of Agriculture will give some idea of the importance and magnitude of the aid given to scientific agriculture by our national government: Bureaus of the Weather and the Animal Industry; Divisions of Dairy, Chemistry, Entomology, Botany. Pomology, Agrostology, Forestry, Irrigation, Vegetable Physiology. Experimental Gardens. Public Roads, Foreign Markets. Statistics and Publications.

In Europe, agricultural colleges and schools are numerous and well supported. In the United States these schools have received considerable attention within the last ten years. As yet our agricultural colleges are weak and poorly attended. The principal source of their weakness is the want of sufficient funds to pay competent instructors and to provide suitable laboratories and experimental gardens. We must ask the State Legisla ture to appropriate a larger fund for the use of the Agricultural Department of our State University. The funds now wasted on county fairs should be given to this department. An experiment station could then be established in this valley, and some much needed investigations made in orchards, vineyards, gardens, and grain fields by scientific experts. All scientific agricultural work should not be done in laboratories. Some of it ought to be done in the "field," observing the work of farmers and horticulturists, and studying subjects and conditions as they are found on our farms and in our orchards. Some agricultural pedagogy should be given to students of the agricultural college in order that they may be properly prepared to assist

in the introduction of the study of agriculture now called nature study into our public schools.

Require our normal schools to set aside part of their grounds for school gardens and to give more time to nature studies. The latest efforts of pedagogy have been directed toward harmonizing school instruction with the demands of practical life. Our times demand an education largely based npon a broad knowledge of the natural sciences.

As that instruction is best which is based on or derived from actual observation, whose fruits the pupil gains by his own labor; and as the school gar. den is the richest storehouse for lessons in the natural sciences. it necessarily follows that gardens are a valuable adjunct of modern normal schools. An institution like the school garden that combines so many educational forces will not be deprecated by prudent educators.

In Europe, especially in Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium, the rural schools have school gardens. and systematic nature study is as much a part of their school work as is arithmetic and geography.

In these countries the study of horticulture is compulsory in the public schools. In Belgium, each rural school must have a garden of at least 39% square rods, to be used in connection with instruction in botany, horticulture, and agriculture. The government grants 6 000 francs annually as prizes among pupils who have excelled in this department of study.

In this country some of our states have made a beginning of nature study in their schools. In New York the Legislature appropriates annually $35,000 to be paid the Cornell College of Agriculture, to be expended in giving instruction by means of schools and lectures and in conducting investigations in horticulture and agriculture. The main object of this work is to prepare the way for nature study in her public schools. As an aid to teachers in qualifying themselves for this work, the university issues leaflets, some of which describe the nature of the work to be done, while others give sample lessons in full. In a few years the teachers of New York will be prepared to do all this work in their schools.

In this state the time is at hand for the introduc tion of some nature study work in our public schools, but we must proceed slowly. Very few of our teachers are now prepared to teach this subject. and we have learned from experience that we must enrich the teacher before we can profitably enrich a course of study. If our universities and normal schools give this subject proper attention, we shall soon have many teachers prepared to take up this important work.

The introduction of nature study into our public schools need not crowd our course of study, as some may fear, for we may profitably cut out of several subjects now in the course, considerable matter that is useless, and by combination and alternation of certain subjects, which ought to be done any wiy, make the course of study more ineresting and effective.

BOOK REVIEWS.

"Lincoln in Story" is a fascinating book edited by Silas G. Pratt and published by D. Appleton & Co.

Herbert Bashford, author of "Songs of Puget Sea," has in press a new volume of verse entitled, "Forest Ranges and Other Poems." Mr. Bashford has recently located in California.

Emory E. Smith of Palo Alto is issuing a souvenir edition on the California poppy. It will be one of the most unique books ever issued in the state, and will be of rare value.

Silver, Burdett & Co. have issued "Asgard Stories, Tales from Norse Mythology," by Mary H. Foster and Mabel H. Cummings. It has no special features to commend it over dozens of other books covering the same topic.

J. B. Greenough and G. L. Kittredge have written a great book entitled "Words and Their Ways in English Speech." The treatment of such subjects as "Fashion in Language," "Slang and Legitimate Speech," "Fossils," etc. are scientific, delightful, and rare. The book is one that every student of the English languagewill want.

A fitting climax to a year of remarkable advancement is "The Delineator" for December, between the covers of which is contained a rarecollection of special features of varied interest. The winter fashions are pictured and described in detail; there is a delightful article on the Floral Fetes of Japan, illustrated in colors; the home surroundings of several stage favorites are entertainingly presented and described; there are three splendid stories by well-known authors, together with illustrated articles on holiday fancy-work and home-made gifts; new recipes, entertainments, and a wealth of other material of a seasonable nature, devoted to the pleasure and profit of every member of the household.

HEALD'S

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The Northern California Teachers' Association held an interesting session at Chico, October 31, November 1 and 2. It was a great success. President Jordan, President Burk, Dr. Burt Estes Howard were prominent features of the program. President Van Liew of the Chico Normal made a notable address on "Professional Ethics, which will be published in the December number of this journal. Butte, Sutter, Yuba, Yolo, Colusa, Willows, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, and Siskiyou sent delegates. Tehama, however, under the direction of Supt. Nangle, received the banner for the largest percentage of attendance. The officers elected for the ensuing year were: President, E. I. Miller of Chico; first vice-president, C. R. Kline; second vice-president, Margaret I. Poore, Redding; recording secretary, E. E. Miller, Redding; corresponding secretary, V. A. McGeorge, Redding; treasurer, J. D. Sweeney, Tehama; executive committee, George Springer, Oroville; G. B. Lathrop, Germantown; C. C. Thompson, Marysville.

Redding was chosen as the next place of meeting.

The following resolutions were adopted. The resolution on professional ethics was the result of President Van Liew's address, and should be carefully read by all:

WHEREAS. The trustees and the teachers of the Chico State Normal School have allowed the Association the free use of the Normal buildings; the citizens of Chico have been unremitting in their kindness toward the Association and in the ir cooperation with it; the local committees and the teachers of the Chico pub. lic schools have been untiring in their efforts for our comfort; the press of Chico has favored us with full and impartial reports; prominent educators and others have helped to make the program interesting and profitable; and the officers of the Association have performed their several duties in a most efficient and satisfactory manner; therefore, be it resolved, that each and everyone of these is entitled to the sincere thanks of the Association.

RESOLVED, That meetings of the Association ought not to be permanently located in any one place.

RESOLVED, That the Northern Association favors a compulsory education law that can be enforced.

RESOLVED, That the Northern Association should advocate the passing of a law allowing teachers a day

or more during the year to visit other schools in their county under the direction of their respective superintendents.

WHEREAS, It would be highly satisfactory to the members of this composite association to have at one of the general sessions of 1902 an hour's discussion in common based upon a thoro study of some educational topic, therefore, be it resolved that our presiding officer shall appoint a committee whose duty it shall be to select such subject and to notify the members of the Northern Association thru the county superintendents.

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education deserves the highest commendation for its efforts in favor of a broad interpretation of the State School Text-book Law in the interest of the children of the state, whereby the liberal use of supplementary works is permissible.

WHEREAS, We, as teachers of Northern California in Association assembled, recognize the necessity of establishing an ethical code for the high profession of which we are members, and one in keeping with simi lar codes maintained by other professions.

Therefore, be it resolved that we submit the following as the standard and code of our profession: First; belief in, and active fidelity to he teacher's calling as field worthy of specialized and of the highest ethical devotion in service to society. Second; willingness to rest the joint causes of the teacher and of education upon the intrinsic merit, power, and expertness of the teacher. Third; freedom from political machinations or manipu lations in all matters affecting private or personal interests. Fourth; freedom from the use of friends, pulls, rings, or commercial concerns of any kind as grounds for fituess for any position or for advancement of any kind. Fifth: The transaction of all business touching employment, salary, tenure of office, and the like, solely and directly with the recognized employing power, be that power a board of trustees, or a principal, or a su perintendent to whom is granted the power of nomination or selection of teachers, and who is therefore held in part responsible for their success. Sixth; fidelity to, and acquiescence in the decisions of such employing powers, excepting only those cases which permit a just and legal appeal to proper authorities. Seventh; mutual support among all members of the profession, at least to the extent of refusing to underbid or in any way to undermine another in the contest for a position. Eighth; free individuality in the exercise of the teacher's art within the just limits of supervising authority. Lastly; the moral support of all bodies possessing super. vising authority in all the legitimate efforts they may put forth in behalf of the ethics of the profession.

Supt. J. A. Scott of Yuba County held his institute in Marysville, October 28, 29 and 30. The principal instructor was Prof. T. H. Kirk of Santa Barbara. His talks was greatly appreciated by the teachers and others.

Tribute to Memory of Agnes Manning.

The following resolution has been adopted by the Public School Teachers' Mutual Aid Society:

It is with deepest sadness that the Teachers' Mutual Aid Society pays its tribute of respect to the memory of our beloved friend and colleague, Miss Agnes M. Manning. Few, if any, have left a stronger or more lasting impress on the educational system of our city and our State. Every measure for the advancement of the best interests of that system found in Miss Agnes M. Manning an earnest advocate. For every such movement she stood at the front. Fearless, true, honest, her voice and influence were always for the right.

Miss Manning was a woman of extraordinary mind, great literary ability, broad, generous, unselfish. She devoted her life and powers to the betterment of all humanity. She has made us, each and all, her personal debtors.

Resolved, That in the death of Miss Agnes M. Manning the Teachers' Mutual Aid has lost one of its oldest, best, and staunchest friends; that it will ever miss her presence, her guiding voice, her honest counsel.

Resolved. That to those near and dear to her, the Teachers' Mutual Aid extends its sincere sympathy and says: "Your loss is also ours."

Resolved, That these resolutions be incorporated in the records of the Teachers' Mutual Aid Society and a copy be sent to the near relatives of Miss Agnes Manning

Committee on Resolutions Mrs Mary Prag, Miss Mary Haswell, L. A. Jordan.

It

Th se selections have actually been tried in the differ. ent grades and approved by practical teachers contains the complete list of poems for grade work recommended by Prof. Cubberley for grade use with the exception of three or four. The literary and ethical value of these poems easily makes it the most valuable list of poems pablished for school use. The poems are selected from approved original Sources. As a desk book for teachers, as a library book for pupils and par. ents, as a reader for all classes, it furnishes th best material that can be obtained anywhere.

The book contains upwards of 200 pages set in clear, long primer type, printed on delicately shaded paper so that the children's eyes are not injured while memorizig.

Favorable Comments

You have done a good piece of work." Prot. Elwood P. Cubberley

It is a splendid collection."- Supt. Geo. S. Ramsay "It is the fine-t collection I have seen. Send me six copies for the Teachers' Library."-Supt. Hugh J. Baldwin.

The Whitaker & Ray Co

The Board of Supervisors of Fresno County accepted the resignation of Louis K. Webb, as member of the county board of education, and elected C. T. Elliot of Selma to the vacancy. Webb, who was formerly principal of the Union High School at Clovis, has left the county for another field.

In the Great
Great National
Tragedy-What Lessons?

In Civics and Citizenship -How vain the blow of the assassin at the machinery of the government which moved on as if he had not been. How interesting - how unforgetablethe study of that machinery at such a time.

In History Which thrilled to the ends of the earth by telegraph and cable, thundered in ten thousand presses; in the indignant voice of Civilization and woke the echoes of Pas: History until its figures lived again.

In Language What inspiration in the vivid pictures of this epoch making time-in a topic which is on every tongue.

In Geography - Every nation in the world flashing its sympathy to the Great Republic.

In Business Methods - How the great ship of Commerce for a moment quivered at the shock, and what an insight into the resources of Financial Science instantly brought into play for her protection.

In Physiology

Hygiene Anatomy. There the world watched with bated breath the vain but mary lous skill of the physicians, and with heart beating between hope and despair counted the pulsations of the dying President.

Did you teach them?

Thousands of teachers used these lessons did you?

They were treated from a school standpoint in THE LITTLE CHRONICLE only. THE LIT. TLE CHRONICLE is beyond comparison the best "current events" paper, and in using cur rent events in connection with all other studies, stands alone.

Every pupil can afford it at two cents a week. Get the parents interested. It is already in use on this plan in fifteen different states.

All the supplies you want for pupils and parents, free of charge, and free desk copy with each club.

The Western Journal of Education State Agent for LITTLE CHRONICLE 723 Market Street, San Francisco, Cal.

BOOK

The Sunset Magazine" for November has within its pages adequate charm for all who love the presentation of the industrial features of our State in an artistic manner. The leading article is entitled "Basket Makers, 'by George Wharton James. H. Robert Braden has some fine lines in his Thanksgiving Reverie.

Kind Nature drops her gentle veil

O'er all the earth; full soon her tired children
Close their eyes and, borne by unfelt hauds,
Pass thro' the gates invisible to lands

Serene, wherein, th' imagination's bars let down,
All men are kings and all maids wear a crown.

But not alone 'twixt hours of dark and dawn

Do wistful hopes come true and wishes find fulfilment-
As this will tell.

For, glancing idly o'er the table's snowy field,
A crystal bowl I saw, with fruits up-piled,

A multifarious group of gorgeous hue,

Whose parent stems drank in the sunshine and the rain 'Neath distant skies.

By musings thus beguiled. insensible of time,
Methought I crossed broad fields

And climbed the mountain tops, nor paused

Until, descending to the fertile vales,

I trod the El Dorado of my dreams.

While the soft air vibrated with her words,

In place of groves and intertwining rows
Of verdant ribands, now, long lanes of
Leafy trees appeared, whose over-arching boughs,
If unsupported, long ago had fall'n

'Neath the burden of the gifts they bore.

The Sun pours down his mellow warmth,

Peaches, in velvet clad, and Apricots of gold,
Nectarines, ruby-sided, Prunes all silver bloom,
Are ripening fast; the husbandman must haste to
gether in

The harvest pendant there in rich profusion.

"Horses of California From the Days of the Mission to the Present," by James Cain Simpson, is an important article. One of the future numbers will contain a description of Fremont Park, illustrated, and "The Home of Joaquin Miller."

How an Amusing Book for Children Came to be Written.

There is a large class of people, pas middle age, in every community, who are "good in geography." Friends come to them, instead of consulting the atlas, to find out where this town or that river is situated, and they can generally tell Mrs. L. C. Schutze, the author of "Amusing Geography," asked a number of elderly ladies, whose accurate knowledge of geographical facts was an astonishment to their friends, how it happened that they remembered so well, and the answer invariably was in substance, “ We sang our geography lessons when I went to school; all that I sang I remember, the rest I have forgotten-well, except the shape of Italy; that is like a boot, and I never forgot it on that account." Many added that Cuba looked like a lizard

on the map, and that they could always see a whale in Lake Erie, and that helped them to keep these shapes in mind. Without exception those outlines which had been remembered were connected with some object or animal. From this, "Schutze's Amusing Geography and System of Map-drawing" had its inception. In this book States and countries are compared to familiar objects, some with much humor, as when Ireland and England are pictured as a parrot and monkey that can never agree."

All of the State flowers are shown, as well as the emblem flowers of France, England and Germany. Many little songs, set to lively and familiar airs, teach the best method of drawing the maps Riddies and conundrums that cause the boys and girls to put on their thinking caps finish a book which can be used by teacher or parent to arouse a new interest in the study of geography. Published by Whitaker & Ray. Beautifully printed and bound. Price $1.00.

Abstract of a paper read before the National Educa tional Association.

In play, energy runs out along the lines of least resistance. lines that represent the great fundamental instincts of the race. What the race has always done, the individual now does easily, naturally, pleasantly, spontaneously; he plays it, that is to say. But what is new and complex in racial action is difficult for the individual: the way of action is not ready formed for him; he must open up new avenues by his own efforts; these are the lines of greater resistance, and to follow them the individual must work. Play unifies and solidifies personality; in work, that is only drudgery, there is often disintegration of personality, because of the conflict of interest and authority. But yet a youth must work if he is to become adapted to the extremely complex environment into which he is born. Life is certainly more complex to-day than it was when the race was at the starting point. The crude instinctive actions which served well enough when thidgs were simple are now wholly inadequate to successful living, and in some instances are hostile to the best success in life. The race is ever growing more altruistic, and the scope of individual action must grow more restricted in a certain sense, in the sense that purely selfish deeds which characterize the early years of life must be more and more inhibited; the boy must observe the golden rule to-day more fully than his ancestors have. The sphere of knowledge is widening every day, and the adaptations to the world which this gives are growing more complex and intricate, but at the same time more perfect and desirable. And these higher phases of life must be mastered by effort; youth must work, that is to say, if maturity