This little book is intended to set out only those things that a boy must know in order to do intelligent work with the usual woodworking tools. It is peculiar in what it omits as well as in the way it presents its subject-matter.

It omits everything that the boy can find out easily for himself or that does not contribute to his understanding and skill in the use of tools. Under the head of Reference Work these omissions are suggested as topics for study. Let the students look up these matters as they come to them. A few reference books will do for a large class when used in this way and the boys will come to see the value of books and learn how to use them in their work.

As to form, the book is intended as a text for immature students. Hence, under each topic the operations or principles are set out by number. The teacher may tell the boy to be ready to give a certain number of points about the use, e. g., of the try-square, the marking gage or the sharpening of the plane iron. These points are clearly separated so that the boy can easily distinguish them. If he has not intellectually mastered them he can be left to himself, with the book and a dictionary, until he can, at least, tell the meaning of every word and state the points made by the book. If he does not then understand, the teacher must somehow show and explain. "Man is the imitative animal par excellence" and we must not neglect this fact in our scheme of teaching. However, there are some things that the boy must know and this little text is intended to point out these things (and these only), hinting at more and endeavoring to stimulate an appetite for more.

The book is especially helpful with boys who have been absent, and again with the boys who are inattentive.

The Manual Arts Press Peoria, Illinois