A very good time to begin this work is during the latter part of the summer, when the summer crops are ripening and the fall and winter crops are starting into growth.  So suppose we begin our study with a visit to some farm in early September, to bring to mind the many things a farmer works with, the many things he has to think about and know about.

As we approach the farm we will probably see first the farm-house surrounded by shade trees, perhaps elms or maples, with the barns and other buildings grouped nearby.  As we pass up the front walk we notice more or less lawn of neatly clipped grass, with flower beds bordering the walk, or we may find a number of chickens occupying the front yard, and the flower beds, placed in red half-barrels, set upon short posts.  In the flower beds we may find petunias, nasturtiums, geraniums, rose bushes and other flowering plants.  Going around the house, we come upon the dairy, with its rack of cans and pans set out for the daily sunning and airing.  Nearby is a well with its oaken bucket; at the barn we find the farmer, and he very kindly consents to go with us to answer questions.  In the barn and sheds we find wagons, plows, harrows, seed drills, hoes, rakes, scythes and many other tools and machines.  Passing on to the fields, we go through the vegetable garden, where are carrots, parsnips, cabbages, beets, celery, sage and many other vegetables and herbs.

On the right, we see a field of corn just ready to harvest, and beyond a field of potatoes.  On the left is the orchard, and we are invited to refresh ourselves with juicy apples.  In the field beyond the hired man is plowing with a fine team of horses.  In the South we would find a field of cotton and one of sweet potatoes, and perhaps sugar cane or peanuts.  We have not failed to notice the pig weeds in the corn field nor the rag weed in the wheat stubble, and many other weeds and grasses in the fence corners.

Perhaps we may meet the cows coming from pasture to the stable.  All the way we have been trampling on something very important which we will notice on our way back.  In this field we find a coarse sandy soil, in the next one a soil that is finer and stiffer.  The plow is turning up a reddish soil.  In the garden we find the soil quite dark in color.

But these are only a few of the things we have found.  If you have used your notebook you will discover that you have long lists of objects which you have noticed, and these may be grouped under the following headings:  Animals, Plants, Soils, Buildings, Tools, etc.

The farmer, then, in his work on the farm deals with certain agents, chief among which are Soils, Plants, Animals, Tools and Buildings.  Other agents which assist or retard his work according to circumstances are the air, sunlight, heat, moisture, plant food, microscopic organisms called bacteria, etc.  These agents are controlled in their relations to one another by certain forces which work according to certain laws and principles of nature.  To work intelligently and to obtain the best results the farmer must become familiar with these agents and must work in harmony with the laws and principles which control them.