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Lessons on Soil By: Edward J. (Edward John) Russell (1872-1965) |
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BY E. J. RUSSELL, D.Sc. (Lond.) GOLDSMITH COMPANY'S SOIL CHEMIST,
ROTHAMSTED EXPERIMENTAL STATION Cambridge: at the University Press 1911 PREFACE The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press propose to issue a Nature
Study Series of which this is the first volume. We count ourselves fortunate in securing Dr E. J. Russell as author and
Soil as subject. The subject is fundamental, for, just as the soil
lies beneath the plant and animal life we see, so is a knowledge of the
soil necessary for all understanding of flora and fauna. The real
complexity of the apparently simple element "Earth," and the variety of
methods required for exploring it, are typical of the problems which
the tout ensemble of the outdoor world presents to the naturalist. Dr E. J. Russell has not only acquired a first rate and first hand
knowledge of his subject at Wye and at Rothamsted; his own researches
have recently extended our knowledge of the micro organisms in the soil
and their influence on fertility. Further, what is very much to our
purpose, he has himself had practical experience in teaching at an
elementary school in Wye and at a secondary school in Harpenden. Just at the present moment, County Councils are trying to push rural
education and to awaken the intelligence of country children by
interesting them in their surroundings. It is, therefore, a favourable
opportunity to offer these pages as a concrete suggestion in model
lessons and object lessons, showing exactly what can be done under
existing conditions. {vi} The book is intended to help children to study nature; there is no
attempt to substitute book study for nature study. Hence, whilst there
are passages of continuous reading, it is not a mere "reader." Many
teachers, myself among them, have felt the difficulty of organising
practical work for large classes. Dr Russell has written so that,
whilst nominally showing the pupil how to learn, he is secretly
scattering hints for the teacher who is learning how to teach. Abundant and varied practical exercises have been suggested, and
careful instructions have been given so that the book shall seem
intelligible even in the absence of a teacher. The proposed practical
work is not only what might be done by eager boys and girls on
half holidays, but what can be done by every scholar in the course of
ordinary school work. The pictorial illustrations are intended as aids
to observation, not as substitutes. Drawing is one form of practical
exercise, and the preparation of corresponding illustrations in the
scholars' notebooks from the apparatus used in the classroom and the
fields around the school may afford exercises in artistic work with
pen, brush or camera. Sufficient directions are given for the supply of necessary materials
and apparatus. The apparatus proposed is of the simplest character. It is suggested that the book will be found most useful in the higher
standards of elementary schools, in preparatory schools and in the
lower forms of secondary schools, that is, where the ages of scholars
average from 12 to 14. HUGH RICHARDSON YORK, 7 January 1911
{vi} CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE I. WHAT IS THE SOIL MADE OF? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. MORE ABOUT THE CLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
III. WHAT LIME DOES TO CLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
IV. SOME EXPERIMENTS WITH THE SAND . . . . . . . . . . . 22
V. THE PART THAT BURNS AWAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
VI. THE PLANT FOOD IN THE SOIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
VII. THE DWELLERS IN THE SOIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
VIII. THE SOIL AND THE PLANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
IX. CULTIVATION AND TILLAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
X. THE SOIL AND THE COUNTRYSIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
XI. HOW SOIL HAS BEEN MADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . ... Continue reading book >>
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