I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. R. G. Allen, Section Director for New York of the U. S. Weather Bureau, for suggestions in making out the following questions. The beautiful pictures of snow crystals illustrating this lesson were made from photographs taken by Mr. W. A. Bentley of Jericho, Vt. It is our desire to interest all teachers in the natural history of a snow storm, to the end that "they may love the country better and be content to live therein." A thermometer hung in a sheltered, open place away from the warmth of the house is a necessary preliminary to the proper observation of the phenomena of a snow storm. Dark woolen cloth is the best medium on which to catch and observe snow crystals. [Illustration: _Fig. 21. "With a silence deep and white."_] QUESTIONS ON A SNOW STORM. 1. What causes snow? 2. At what temperature do snow crystals form? 3. How do the clouds appear before a snow storm? 4. What is the temperature of the air before the storm? 5. What is the direction of the wind before the storm? 6. Does the storm come from the same direction as the wind? 7. What are the conditions of the wind and temperature when the snow crystals are most perfect in form? 8. What are these conditions when the snow crystals are matted together in great flakes? 9. What are these conditions when the snow crystals appear sharp and needle-like? 10. Are the snow crystals of the same storm similar in structure and decoration? 11. What is the difference in structure between a snowflake and a hail stone? 12. What is sleet? 13. What is the difference between hoar frost and snow? 14. Does the temperature rise or fall during a snow storm? 15. Is it colder or warmer after a snow storm has passed than it was before it began? 16. What are the conditions of weather which cause a blizzard? 17. Why does a covering of snow prevent the ground from freezing so severely as it would if bare? 18. Why is snow a bad conductor of heat? 19. Pack snow in a quart cup until it is full and let it melt; then tell how full the cup is of water. What do you infer from this? 20. Have you ever observed the grass to be green beneath snow drifts? Tell why. 21. Does snow evaporate as well as melt? 22. How does snow benefit the farmer and the fruit grower? 23. Do the snow storms in your locality come from one general direction all winter? LEAFLET VIII. A HANDFUL OF SOIL: WHAT IT IS.[10] BY R. S. TARR. [10] Nature-Study Quarterly, No. 2: Leaflet 15. [Illustration]