(_c_) The subject when found should be within the child's comprehension. The topic _Grasses_ is manifestly unfit for children, since grasses are difficult to study, and the description of them in encyclopedias and botanies is too technical. An eight-year-old had to investigate the _Abyssinian war_. Pupils under 16 were assigned the topic _Syncretism in the later pagan movement_. A western librarian was asked by some girls for Kipling's "Many inventions" and "Day's work." Both were out. "Well, what other books of Kipling's on _agriculture_ have you?" "Why, Kipling hasn't written any books on _agriculture_; he writes stories and poems." "But we have to debate on whether agriculture or manufacturing has done more for the welfare of the country, and we want a book on both sides." (_d_) The topic should be definite and not too broad, and should be subdivided when necessary. The briefest comprehensive description of _Rome_ is probably that in Champlin's "Persons and places," where the six columns, already much condensed, would take more than an hour to copy. A young girl came to find out about Italian painters. None of the several encyclopedias treated them collectively under either _Italy_ or _Art_. Mrs. Bolton's book of 10 artists includes four Italians, but it takes some time and skill to discover them, as the fact of their nationality does not introduce the narrative. How should a sixth grade pupil make a selection from the 60 painters in Mrs. Jameson's book? Three names were furnished by the librarian, and the child made notes from their biographies. The next day she returned and said she hadn't enough artists. (_e_) The question should preferably be of such nature that the child can be helped to find it rather than be obliged to wait while the librarian does the work. One inquiry was, "What eastern plant is sometimes sold for its weight in gold?" This is not in the book of "Curious questions." (_f_) The topic should be worth spending time upon. The _genealogy of Ellen Douglas_ will hardly linger long in the average memory. _Use made of the material by the child._