USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1906-1914 > Part 2
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By Due from State Aid, 36.50
By Sidewalks Assessments, 1904, 93.52
By Sidewalks Assessments, 1905,
187.78
By Balance in Treasury Town, 1,630.73
By Balance in Treasury, School Acct.,
172.35 *
3,583.92
OUTSTANDING NOTES.
DIR.
Jose Parker & Co., Bradstreet Fill Acct. $1,200
Jose Parker & Co., Depot Road Acct., 5,000
6,200
WATER FUND.
DR.
Thirty Years 4 Per Cent Water Bonds, $48,000
30
OR.
Sinking Fund,
$9,380.59
I have this day examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer and find them correct.
E. B. DICKINSON, Audito- 1
Hatfield, March 7, 1906.
Water Commissioners' Report.
The following is respectfully submitted as the tenth an- nual report of the Board of Water Commissioners.
We have received the past year as follows :-
Balance of cash from last year's account, $ 37.22
Cash from collection of Water Rates,
3,690.15 3 7
From Connections and Material, . 22.50
$3,749.87
38
We have paid the past year as follows :--
Town Treasurer ,for water rates,
$3000.00
Harry N. Hunt, for collections,
53.85
M. J. Proulx for collections, 56.42
Labor and Cash paid by Superintendents,
104.85
Norwood Engineering Co., Service Boxes, 4. 2
11.40
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., Supplies,
39.72
W. H. Riley, Material and Labor,
45.38
Northampton Water Works, Castings,
10.09
D. W. Wells, Deeds of Land and Expenses,
252.63
Lorenz Doppmann, Deed and Expenses, 127.00
Balance Cash on Hand, 48.53
$3749.8;
There are now 299 connections with private property, 82 hydrants for fire protection, five water tanks, water in fiv: school buildings and in Memorial Hall.
32
No extension of the pipe line has been made the past year. We have purchased during the year from the heirs of the late Roswell Billings and from Lorenz Doppmann abou" sixteen acres of land on both sides of Running Gutter Brook, at a cost of $379. The town now owns the land on both sides of the Brook above the 'Reservoir northerly to land of George A. Billings, forty acres in all, and with 18 4-5 miles of pipe making the cost of the system to March Ist, 1906, $53,652.32.
C. L. WARNER, DANIEL W. WELLS, M. J. PROULX,
Hatfield Water Commissioners.
I have this day examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer of the Board of Water Commissioners and fini them correct.
E. B. DICKINSON, Auditor.
Hatfield, Mass., March Ist, 1906.
Town Clerk's Report.
The Vital Statistics for the Town of Hatfield for the year 1905 are as follows :
BIRTHS BY MONTHS.
No.
Males
Females
January,
I
0
[
February,
8
5
%
March,
7
2
5
April,
III
6
5
May,
5
T
June.
I
I
0
July,
3
2
August,
3
2
September,
7
5
2
October,
6
1
4
2
November,
9
4
5
December,
2
()
2
Total
63
32
3I
BIRTHPLACE OF PARENTS.
No.
Father
Mother
Born in the United States
24
24
22
Poland,
28
28
28
Germany,
2
2
2
Hungary,
5
5
5
Ireland,
2
2
2
Canada, ,
2
2
2
-
Total
63
63
63
-
34
BIRTHS FOR THE FIVE PREVIOUS YEARS
1900
1901
1902
1903
.1904
36
46
49
:47
52
MARRIAGES BY MONTHS.
No.
January,
3
February,
2
April.
I
May,
5
June.
2
July,
I
August.
2
September,
2
October,
2
November.
II
-
Total
30
First marriage of both parties
Second marriage of bride, first of groom.
Ī
-
30
The oldest and youngest grooms were 36 and 21 years of age respectively.
The oldest and youngest brides were 32 and 18 years of age respectively.
BIRTHPLACE OF PERSONS MARRIED.
Groom
Bride
Born in the United States .
13
1.4
Poland
16
16
Ireland
I
O
-
-
,30
30
35
MARRIAGES FOR THE FIVE PREVIOUS YEARS
1900
1902
1903
20
28
21
24
I.7
DEATHS BY MONTHS.
.
No.
Males
Females
January,
3
3
0
February,
I
1
0
March
5
4
I
April,
5
2
3
May,
3
I
June,
2
I
I
July,
2
I
I
August.
3
3
O
September,
2
I
I
October,
3
I
2
Novemebr.
3
I
2
December,
T
T
0
Total,
34
22
12
No.
Males
Females
Under I year of age
7
4
3
Between I and 5 years.
4
2
2
Between 5 and 10 years
0
0
O
Between IO and 20 years
2
2
0
Between 20 and 30 years
2
0
Between 30 and 40 years
2.
Ţ
I
Between 40 and 50 years
I
0
Between 50 and 60 years
5
4
1
Between 60 and 70 years
I
3
Between 70 and 80 years
4
4
0
--
.
36
Between 80 and 90 years
2
I
I
Between .80 and 90 years
I
O
I
-
-
34
22
12
Age of the oldest person deceased (female) 94 years.
CAUSES OF DEATH.
Classified according to the nomenclature adopted by the State Board of Registration.
ZYMOTIC DISEASES.
Diphtheria
I
Measles,
2
Cholera Infantum,
i
Malarial Fever,
I
CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES.
Cancer,
I
Disease Heart,
6
Meningitis,
I
Angina Pectoris,
2
Phthisis-Pulmonalis, 1
LOCAL DISEASES.
Strangulated Hernia,
L
Peritonitis, I
Pneumonia, 7
Nephritis, L
DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES.
Gastralgia, I Old Age, I
Infantile Debility, I
37
Mental and Physical Debility, Stillborn, Tetanus, Punctured Wound, Drowning, Accidental,
4 -
2
-
Total,
34
NAMES OF PERSONS DECEASED.
Frederick P. Pease,
Louis Raboin,
William Hayes,
Rebecca J. Cutter,
Michael J. Cahill,
Henry J. Raboin,
William H. Dickinson,
Eurotas Morton,
Mary Boyle,
Samuel Fusick,
Thomas T. McGrath,
Misczystag Sadowski,
Henry R. Graves, William Barnes,
John Caikoski,
Mary Lizak,
Stanislaw Zebbroski,
Fidelia A. Morton,
Harry N. Hunt,
Elizabeth Lamontange,
George C. Fitch,
Mary K. Wolgram,
Sidonia Vollinger,
John H. Manchester.
DOG LICENSES.
The number of dogs licensed during the year ending November 30, 1905, with the receipts and settlement of the account with the County Treasurer, is as follows :-
IOI Male Dogs, at $2.00 each, $202.00 I5.00
3 Female Dogs at $5.00 each
$217.00 20.8c
Less fees 104 dogs at 20 cents each,
Amount paid County Treasurer June I and December 1, 1905, $196.23
Blanche Towmise, Albine Zembroski, Charles S.Thayer, Joseph Merrick, E. Lucelia Wells, John H. Sanderson,
38
Amount received for dog licenses for the five previous years.
1900
190I
1902
1903
1904
Ş204
$221
$211
$204
$208
Respectfully submitted,
L. H. KINGSLEY, Town Clerk.
Assessor's Report.
Total value of Assessed Estate, $1,394,191
Value of Assessed Real Estate,
Value of Assessed Personal Estate,
$1,013,188 381,003
$1,394,191
Value of Assessed Buildings,
$548,583 464,605
Value of Assessed Land,
-$1,013,188
Number of Male Polls Assessed,
650
Number of residents assessed on property,
331
All others (corporations, etc.)
30
-361
No. of Non-Residents assessed on property All others, 13
JO
- 73
No. of persons assessed on property 434
No. of persons assessed for Poll Tax only, 383
-817
Rate of Total Tax, per $1000, $11.30
Number of horses assessed, (two mules)
474
. Number of Cows assessed, 342
Number of Neat Cattle,
43
Number of Swine,
Number of Fowls. 1228
Number of Dwelling houses assessed,
3IS
State Tax,
$1,726.34
County Tax,
2,401.II
40
Town Grant, Overlayings,
12,625.00 292.25
$17,044.70
Conn. Valley St. R. Co. Ex. Tax, - 1:53.20
Greenfield & Amherst R. Co. Tax, 27.02
Northampton & Amherst R. Co. Tax, 61.33
$241.55
Estimated Bank and Corporation Tax,
$17,286.25
1,200.00
Value of property exempt from taxation, Chapter 12, Section 5, Revised Laws :
Literary institutions, $67,458.21 27,000.00
Church property,
$94,458.21
Estimated value of Public Buildings,
Cemeteries, Water Works, Fire Ap-
paratus, and Sinking 'Fund, Respectfully submitted,
$89,600
JOHN VOLLINGER, JAMES L. DAY, L. H. KINGSLEY,
Assessors of Hatfield.
Report of Sinking Fund Commissioners.
We have the following amounts deposited to the credit of the Sinking Fund :-
Amherst Savings Bank,
$1,417.42
Northampton Institution for Savings,
1,272 06
Haydenville Savings Bank,
1,138.96
Nonotuck Savings Bank, 1,222.77
Florence Savings Bank, 1,085.79
Greenfield Savings Bank,
1,008.91
The Franklin Savings Institution,
1,000.00
Easthampton Savings Bank,
234.68
Town of Hatfield Water Bond,
1,000.00
$9380.59
M. J. RYAN, R. M. WOODS, E. S. WARRAN,
Sinking Fund Commissioners.
I have this day examined the vouchers of the Sinking Fund Commissioners and find them correct.
E. B. DICKINSON, Auditor.
Hatfield, March 2, 1906.
ANNUAL REPORTS
-OF THE ..
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
- -OF THE
TOWN OF HATFIELD
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1906
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
HENRY S. HUBBARD, Chairman, 1906.
LAWRENCE A. POWERS, Secretary, 1907. JOHN J. BATZOLD, 1908. WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS, Supt.
M. H. BOWMAN, Supt.
Truant Officers.
William H. Cumings, Joseph S. Wells and John M. Strong.
Authorized to sign Certificates for children between the ages of 14 and 16.
M. H. BOWMAN.
School Census, Sept. 1, 1905.
Number of boys between the ages of 5 and 15, 141
Number of girls between the ages of 5 and 15, 113
Total, 254
Number of boys between the ages of 7 and 14, 114
Number of girls between the ages of 7 and 14, 8€
Total,
195
REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Balance in Treasurer's hands from 1905, $ 156.83
Town Appropriation, 4,200.00
Town Appropriation Tuition Smith Academy, 500.00
Dog Fund, 159.93
State Board of Charities Tuition,
19.50
School Fund, State,
723.8
State Funds for Superintendent,
400:0 )
City of Boston Tuitions, 14.50
City of Northampton Tuitions,
128.91
$6,303.31
ORDERS DRAWN ON THE TOWN TREASURER.
Nora M. Connery, $120.00
Margaret A. Ryan, 338.00
Carrie H. Warner, 353.00
Lillian I. Proulx, 312.00
Katherine W. Day, 360.00
Mary E. Breor, 354.00
Margaret A. Allaire,
I20.00
Jessie D. Penniman, 360.00
Julia Cummings, 4.00
Arvilla Sampson,
10.00
45
Catherine E. Maloney.
Bessie M. Felton,
6.00 216.00
Mrs Arabel F. Forbes, 220.00
Lillian V. Whiting, Drawing Teacher, 41.66
Lila B. Hutchins, Drawing Teacher, 83.34
Uraina G. Barrows, Music Teacher,
170.00
R. M. Woods, Treas., Tuition Smith Academy, 500.00
Howard & Smith, Coal, 194.37
G. H. Danforth, Coal,
95.73
A. L. Strong, Wood,
70.50
H. S. Hubbard, Drawing Coal,
12.50
Conn. Valley St. Railway Co., tickets for scholars,
132.50
Splititng and Pileing wood,
4.10
John M. Strong, Wood,
6.00
Care of Buildings, 271.60
Teachers for Attending Teachers' Meetings, 33.10
School Supplies, Books, Paper, etc., 469.70
W. H. Cumings, Superintendent, 240.00
M. H. Bowman, Superintendent, 240.00
22.08
W. H. Riley & Co., Repairs,
7.95
.E. M. Graves, Repairs,
22.46
Louis .A. Armes, Repairs,
10.60
Daniel Lynch, Repairs, 15.00
Merrick Lumber Co., Flooring,
50.87
Merrick Lumber Co., Lumber,
14.32
John J. Betsold, Repairs, Drawing Coal, etc., 84.26
F. L. Betsold, Floor, West Hatfield, 24.50
M. J. Ryan, Mdse., 3.47
Oscar Belden & Sons, Care of School Yard, 10.00
L. A. Powers, Care of School Yard, 11.00
L. A. Powers, Labor and Supplies, 21.25
L. A. Powers, School Committee and State Report, 20.00
John J. Betsold, School Committee and State Report 15.00
H. S. Hubbard, Setting Glass, 1.50
Shumway & Riley, Repairs,
46
J. S. Wells, Truant Officer,
10.00
$6,131.21
Balance of School Fund in Treasury, 172.10
The above report includes all bills belonging to the School Department for the year ending March 1, 1906.
We have placed new adjustable seats and desks in one room of the Center School Building. A new floor in the Grammar Room at West Hatfield, and have put in several slate blackboards in different buildings the past year.
At the commencement of the fall term we found so many new scholars that were coming into our primary schools that our rooms would not hold them, so we thought best to take the fourth grade from the Center and Hill Hill Schools and place it with the fifth grade in one room in the Center Building, and the seventh and eighth in the Hill Building, that made it necessary to take the sixth grade to Bradstreet, there being no place for it in this part of the town, as we had no money to fit up another room for them. We would suggest that the town fit up a room in Smith Academy, and put the eighth and ninth grades into it, but that would require one more teacher. We think that would relieve the other buildings, for a time at least. Some such arrangements must be made as we do not like the transport- ing of children on the cars.
For the School Committee,
HENRY S. HUBBARD,
Chairman.
STATISTICS-TABLE A. REPORT OF ATTENDANCE, ETC., FOR THE YEAR 1905.
School
Teachers
Wages per
Length of year
in weeks
Average
enrollment
Average
membership
Average
attendance
Per cent. of
attendance
Dayslost by
non-attendance
Hill Grammar.
Katherine W. Day.
IO
36
26.7
26.4
24
90.9
425
Hill Primary ..
Mary E. Breor. .
IO
36
44.I
43.1
40.2
93.3
484
Center Intermediate.
Margaret A. Ryan
IO
36
34.9
34.9
31
88.2
530
Centre Primary.
Carrie H. Warner.
IO
36
40.2
39.3
36
91.6
519
West Grammar
Arabel F. Forbes.
IO
36
15.I
>15
13.I
87,3
267
West Primary.
Lillian I. Proulx.
9
36
16.9
16.8
14
83.3
269
West Brook.
Jessie D. Penniman
IO
36
32.I
31.7
29.6
93.4
338
Bradstreet.
Bessie M. Felton.
9
36
9.9
18.6
18.4
98.9
94
.
.
Urania G. Burrows, Supervisor of Music. Salary $4.68 per week.
Leila B. Hutchins, Supervisor of Drawing. Salary $3.47 per week.
47
.
Nora M. Connery.
9
week
Margaret A. Allaire
$10
Katherine W. Day.
IO
48
TABLE B. TABLE SHOWING AGE AND ASSIGNMENT OF PUPILS BY GRADES.
SCHOOLS
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
Hill Grammar
Hill Primary
6
7
S
8.9
9.9
Centre Intermediate.
Centre Primary .
5.6
7.6
7.7
·
·
·
IO
II
13
West Grammar ..
West Primary .
5
7
7
9
West Brook.
6.3
6.8
8.3
8.6
II.9
II.3
Bradstreet.
6
6
8
9.
9.5
II.5
12.5
13.3
·
TABLE C. TABLE SHOWING NUMBER AND ASSIGNMENT OF PUPILS BY GRADES.
SCHOOLS.
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
Hill Grammar
1 5
15
Hill Primary
23
17
5
Centre Intermediate.
2I
18
Centre Primary .
12
9
14
West Grammar. .
3
5
5
West Primary .
9
5
2
3
West Brook
4
5
7
8
I
9
Bradstreet.
.
·
.
. .
49
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Hatfield.
I have the honor of presenting to you my first annual report of the schools of the town of Hatfield. It also includes the usual statistics, and the reports of the supervisor of music and the supervisor of drawing.
At this time I desire to recognize the excellent work of my predecessor, Mr W. H. Cummings, to whom I am in- debted for a fair share of my pleasant association in school work. And I also wish to recognize, in this public manner, the faithful services of each teacher. Unless the instructor, who has daily charge of the school, be faithful, thorough, and tactful, supervision must largely fail. Although my term of service in this district has been limited in time, yet I have learned to appreciate the efficiency of the "teachers, who quietly and yet with enthusiasm and gladness, are surely bringing the schools up to a true standard of excellence.
During the year that has just closed there have been the usual problems to solve, difficulties to overcome, and plans to form for successful school work. There has been about the usual number of resignations in the teaching force, and also a change in the supervisors of drawing. Respectful attention is called to the excellent work of the specialists in music and drawing in this district. Emphasis is laid on the fact that our schools are doing more than merely marking time and spending money on these departments. We are getting a full return for the money we pay. This is true not only in respect to the personel of the instructors, but
51
also in the sound and broad principles that are constantly being emphasized.
As we study the problem of teachers, during the passing years, it is pleasing to observe, that the parents and cont -- munity at large are increasingly appreciating the efforts of those that stand so close to the home and are so intimately associated with all that makes for the welfare of the nation Yet the teacher receives far lower wages than any other professional class. This practice ought not to obtain be- cause our schools cannot afford to have anything save the best. When it is recalled that we expect and demand not only an educated but a trained teacher, who was reared in a cultured home, and in addition to her other attainments has a fair knowledge of music and drawing, we must not be sur- prised that successful experienced teachers are difficult to secure. Average wage of female teachers per month in this state is $55.37; in Hampshire county is $45.97, in town of Hatfield is $35.25.
Careful observation in the different schools of the town lends to the conclusion that there is too great an inequality in the grades. Too frequently pupils of a certain class are said to belong to such a grade; when in fact they are con- siderably below the true standard. To overcome this de- ficiency teachers are making an earnest effort; and at end of school year we hope to secure fair results. A fruitful source of this condition has been the promotion of pupils that were not properly prepared. An ultimate result must necess- arily be a ninth grade pupil that is not well prepared for en- trance upon high school work. This consequence is far reaching. It conditions the whole high school course. Forth- ermore, it compels the high school to graduate a scholar that is not quite as proficient as he ought to be to enter col- lege or technical school by certificate. The uppermost thought in mind of parent and teacher ought to ke the e luca- tion of the child as rapidly as possible, consistent with the well-being of the child. . To secure this result the parent
52
and teacher must work in harmony. The parent must insist upon the pupil being regular in attendance and frequently must sacrifice somewhat to the end that the child may be educated. Again, the home must be in healthful sympathy with youthful development. Books and papers should be in abundant evidence and it ought not to be expected that the child can lead a double life, doing one day's work in schoo; and another between times at home.
Each year it becomes more evident, not to school offi- cials and teachers only, but to young men and women who leave the home roof to make their way in the great world, that all industries are becoming more complicated and that success is largely a survival of the best educated and most highly trained. This is more apparent as we ascend the scale of desirable employment. In order to successfully meet this increasing demand, our children must be equipped with all the education that the modern school can give. In busi- ness it is no longer a contest between men that have been graduated from the district school but a rivalry between men that hold a university diploma. While we would gladly re- tain all that is desirable of the simplicity of life as manifested in the years of the past, yet we properly covet for our child- ren not only a high position in the world's estimate of suc- cess, but the ability to win that position unaided. There is no way in which we can aid the young so quickly and surely as in insisting that they be regularly at school and studious in their habits. The child of normal health and properly develloped physical and mental powers can begin his school life at five or six years of age and be graduated from the high school at eighteen. This much of education every pupil in our town should aim to obtain, and the parents ought to be eager to sacrifice enough of time and money that each son and daughter may enjoy such advantages.
An examination of the school registers leads to the con- clusion that far too small a number of parents visit any school. This is the opposite of what ought to obtain. Fre-
53
quent visits by the parents would encourage the teacher and pupils and would afford an opportunity to observe the daily work of the school, Such visits should not be confined to any special day of the term or year. The aim should be to secure knowledge of the school work. A most cordial in- vitation is hereby extended to all parents and citizens of the town to visit the schools frequently. While the work in progress may not be ideal yet it will be real. And we think that frequent inspections will indicate that reasonable pro- gress is being made. Furthermore the superintendent and . teachers need the advice, sympathy and co-operation of every parent.
Occasionally the thought is entertained that the schoois are expensive. And sometimes when financial retrenchment must be made it begins at the school department. But as all departments of a city or town demand money the educationa. is not an exception. We believe the school appropriations should be and are carefully guarded and used. But as occa- sion demands the expenses of this department slightly vary from year to year. This is caused by the endeavor to keep pace with all that is most helpful to the school. It must be remembered that school material not only wears out rapidly but with equal rapidity becomes obsolete. During the year effort has been made to keep fully abreast with modern ae- mands and yet in some respects to slightly lower the ex. penditure. This paragraph is not written to call especial at- tention to this fact, but to emphasize the more important idea that wise and generous appropriation should be made for the schools of the town.
Since in previous reports attention has been called to the annual school exhibit, further emphasis has not been thought necessary. Such an exhibit is due to be held in Hatfield at some date in latter part of spring term, if which special notice will be given. It is to be hoped that parents will be interested in such a representation. An earnest et-
54
fort will be made to give a fair and truthful presentation of school work.
In closing I desire to express to you, the members of the School Board, my appreciation of your kindness, help- fulness and the confidence you have had in me. I thank the teachers who have so faithfully co-operated with me in the school work. I am indebted also to the citizens for their loyalty to the schools and their judicious counsel.
Respectfully submitted, MORTIMER N. BOWMAN.
Surerintendent of Schools
RESIGNATIONS AND TRANSFERS.
Hill Grammar-Margaret A. Allair, resigned.
West Grammar-Katherine W. Day, transferred to Hil!' Grammar.
"Bradstreet-Nora M. IConnery, resigned.
SCHOOL : CALENDAR. (Common Schools.)
Spring Term (12 weeks) April 2-June 22.
Fall Term (15 weeks) Sept. 5,-Dec. 21.
Winter Term (8 weeks) Jan. 7-March 8.
Recess-Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Thanks- giving week.
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
Mr. M. H. Bowman, Superintendent of Schools :
It is with considerabie gratification that we observe the growing interest in art and art education. Educators of the present day are putting more and more stress upon the sub- ject, which was considered unimportant not many years ago, but some of us still feel that its great importance as an edu- cational factor has not yet been fully recognized.
The study of art is a study of the beauties and sublimities of nature ; not a code invented by man, but laws and princi- ples which were created with the universe, and which will endure, unchanging, through all time. We have nature, a perfect example, forever before us, and there is no excuse for our being ignorant of her principles. While we are delv- ing among books and relics of remote ages, seeking for hid- Mr. M. H. Bowman, Superintendent of Schools.
den truths, truth and · beauties, incomparable, pass before our eyes unseen and uninterpreted.
We consider that man illiterate who is ignorant of the principles which have been determined by use, yet we have no word of censure for him who has no knowledge of the principles and laws of appearance and design. And the man who can express his thought in drawing is rare.
How many papers or magazines would publish articles containing glaring grammatical errors ? And yet they have no scruples against reproducing illustrations and designs impossible in perspective, poor in composition and atrocious
57
in drawing. The rarity of good things in art and the great abundance of the bad, increase the difficulty of art education.
In my teaching I endeavor to make the work attractive and interesting, but I do not attempt to make the child feel that the drawing period is playtime, nor is it my purpose to amuse and entertain him. Both the teachers and the child- ren should feel the seriousness of the work and realize that it is as important, if not more important, than any other study. It is the knowledge that will be of most worth out of school, will come closer to the daily life; its influence. toward cultivation and refinement is without parallel; it ele- vates the taste, and when you have created the right taste, you have made for character.
In my work I have discovered two very serious faults which we have made every effort to correct. One was a disregard for characteristics of growth, especially for the character and formation of stems, and the other the lack of improvement in the upper grades. Up to the fifth grade the work showed the improvement expected from grade to grade but above that it was very slight. I attributed this to the fact that the children did not know how to study, so we have bent our energies upon teaching them, which means simply, TO USE THEIR EYES. Children in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades should be able to make car ful botanical studies of plants and flowers, brit ours were unable even to reproduce the size or shape of a spray. In cases where the spray was six or more inches long, the majority of draw- ings would average three inches. When a child was given a spray of five or six large leaves, I have not infrequently counted 1'5 or 20 small ones in his drawing. There are some things that do not depend upon a special talent for drawing, and every child should be able to reproduce the correct size of a plant, and the number of leaves. I have found it nec- essary to limit the use of the brush which tended to care- lessness and to work largely with the lead pencil, which is the true study medium. A drawing poorly made in color is at-
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