And a happy man is Farmer John-- Oh, a rich and happy man is he!

He sees the peas and pumpkins growing, The corn in ta.s.sel, the buckwheat blowing, And fruit on vine and tree; The large, kind oxen look their thanks As he rubs their foreheads and pats their flanks; The doves light round him and strut and coo; Says Farmer John, "I'll take you, too; And you, old Bay, And you, old Gray, Next time I travel so far away."

--_Trowbridge._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THIS PICTURE REPRESENTS FIRST GRADE CHILDREN ENJOYING THE BEST OF SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: A SCHOOL EXHIBIT.]

BIRD STUDY.

W. H. WISMAN, NEW PARIS, OHIO.

In order to carry on the work of bird study with any degree of success, experience has taught me that the subject must continually be kept before the pupils in all of its phases. This means actual work among the birds, with eyes sharpened for every movement and ears tuned to every sound.

The first essential, I think, is for the pupil to know the bird by sight--that is, at close range--and to be able to give a minute description, paying attention to details in markings, especially in cases where distinctive markings determine the species.

Our work in autumn consists in a sharp lookout for the warblers that are returning toward the Southland at the beginning of the school term.

This requires careful observation, and pupils are encouraged to be watchful at this time and report any small bird they may be able to find on their way to or from school, or at home. A record is kept, and pupils are urged to compete for the longest list of different species.

Later in the season, when the leaves are well off the trees, we start a nest-hunting contest, the object being to see who can find the greatest number of nests in a specified time. Samples of nests are secured and put up in the school room.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

When cold weather comes the question of food supply is considered.

Shelters for the birds are constructed, and feeding places are prepared. One method is to place a feeding board outside a south window, and fastening a good-sized branch of a tree outside the window, upon which pieces of suet are fastened. The remains of the children's lunches, together with seeds, kernels of nuts, etc., are placed upon the board, and birds soon learn to come to the banquet prepared for them. The pupils are urged to go home and do likewise.

Monthly bird lists are kept, showing the kinds of birds that may be seen each month, and pupils are required to keep note-books in which anything of interest may be noted.

In the spring the question of housing the birds is considered, and pupils are taught to construct simple bird houses, and all are interested in placing these boxes about their homes.

In connection with this field work, attention is given to the literature upon this subject. Sc.r.a.p-books are kept, and any article relating to birds found in papers or magazines is clipped and pasted in this book.

We have in the school room over one hundred and fifty pictures in colors of the birds to be found in this section of the State, and using these as a basis, I give frequent "lectures" on the habits or any other points of interest concerning these birds.

The pupils are very enthusiastic in the work, and the influence has not only extended throughout the entire district, but other teachers and pupils in the surrounding districts have caught the spirit and much is being done along this line throughout the township.

--_Reprint from Nature and Culture._

THE WHITE BIRCH.

BY CHARLES DEGARMO.

Have you seen the white birch in the spring, in the Spring?

When the sunlight gleams upon her branches in the spring?

When her green leaves, young and tender, Through their soft concealment render Glimpses of her outlines slender in the spring.

Have you seen her wave her branches in the spring, in the spring?

Wave those airy, milk-white branches in the spring?

As they glisten in the light Of a day divinely bright When to see them is delight, in the spring.

Have you seen the sunbeams glancing in the spring, in the spring?

Glancing on her leaflets glossy in the spring?

When the wind sets them in motion, Like the ripples on the ocean, And they stir our fond devotion, in the spring.

If you have not, then you know not, in the spring, in the spring, Half the beauty of the birches in the spring.

Past their tops of silver sheen In the distance far are seen Blue-tinged hills in living green, in the spring.

--_After Wm. Martin._

[Ill.u.s.tration: NOTICE THE SPREADING BRANCHES OF THIS TREE.]

BLUE.

BY CHARLES DEGARMO.

There's plentiful blue in the midst of the green; For blue are the joys that chatter and preen; The blue bells all nod and sway with the breeze; Blue-tinged are the hills that border the scene, And blue birds sing low of nests in the trees.

In the land of the North When the bird's on the wing, Then the blue in the woods Is a charm of the spring.

On waters of blue where soft breezes blow, With sunshine above and shadow below, My boat sails the bay, with naught to annoy, For two[1] that I love sit close as we go, And laughing blue eyes that mirror with joy.

Far away to the South, Where the warm tropics lie, There the blue of the sea Is the blue of the sky.

--_From the Author's forthcoming book, "An Aesthetic View of the World."_

[1] The Author's little granddaughters.

SUNRISE NEVER FAILS.

Upon the sadness of the sea The sunset broods regretfully; From the far s.p.a.ces, slow Withdraws the wistful afterglow.

So out of life the splendor dies, So darken all the happy skies, So gathers twilight cold and stern; But overhead the planets burn.