The illustrations used have been very carefully selected for their _teaching value_. They give a clearness to mental pictures which can be derived only through observation of that which the illustrations symbolize. Much experience in the use of geographical illustrations has shown that pupils need to be directed in their examination of them. To secure the best results they must be made the centers of thought-developing questions. Thanks are due the Pillsbury-Washburn Flour Mills Company of Minneapolis, the Swift Packing Company of Chicago, the Walter Baker Company of Dorchester, the United Fruit Company of New Orleans, and Dr. Charles U. Shepard of Pinehurst Plantation, for the excellent illustrations furnished by them. JAMES FRANKLIN CHAMBERLAIN. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, LOS ANGELES, March, 1903. CONTENTS PAGE THE PAST AND THE PRESENT 1 THE STORY OF A LOAF OF BREAD 7 HOW OUR MEAT IS SUPPLIED 18 MARKET GARDENING 32 DAIRY PRODUCTS 41 BUTTER MAKING 44 CHEESE 50 THE FISHING INDUSTRY 54 OYSTER FARMING 64 A RICE FIELD 70 HOW SUGAR IS MADE 77 BEET SUGAR 84 MAPLE SUGAR 87 WHERE SALT COMES FROM 91 MACARONI AND VERMICELLI 99 ON A COFFEE PLANTATION 104 THE TEA GARDENS OF CHINA 113 A CUP OF COCOA 120 A CRANBERRY BOG 131 THE COCOANUT ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC 139 A BUNCH OF BANANAS 146 HOW DATES GROW 155 THE ORANGE GROVES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 165 A VISIT TO A VINEYARD 174 NUTTING 184 A WALNUT VACATION 187 CHESTNUTS 193 A BAG OF PEANUTS 195 ASSORTED NUTS 201 A STRANGE CONVERSATION 206 HOW WE ARE FED THE PAST AND THE PRESENT Long, long ago people did not live as we do to-day. Their homes were very different from ours, for they were made of the skins of wild animals, of the limbs and bark of trees, or of tall grasses. There were no stoves, chairs, tables, or beds in their houses. Instead of lamps, gas, or electricity, a fire on the dirt floor or in front of the house, furnished the light.