(3) An important feature is suggested by the references to "Agriculture," on Page 2414 of the Index. By use of this analytical arrangement one may quickly and with wonderful accuracy formulate a "brief" or an outline of any far-reaching subject such as this, and be fully prepared to take it before the school, to prepare a paper or talk, or to follow a course of reading as the occasion may require. To use "Agriculture" as an example: One would wish to consider first the "History of agriculture," and in that connection "Hebrew agriculture," Medieval agriculture," "Modern agriculture," the development of the science in all the various countries named, "experiment stations," "colleges and schools," etc. Next would come soils, and in this connection "alluvium," "capilarity of soils," "chemistry," "distribution of crops," "rotation of crops," "nitre-gathering crops," etc. Next, one would probably want to classify the different branches of farming, as fruit raising referred to in "apples," "grafting," "spraying mixtures," etc.; and stock raising, "poultry," "stock breeding," "stock raising," "stock feeding," "veterinary science;" and dairying, "butter," creamery," "cream separator," Babcock test," etc. The application of this principle to other subjects may be noted, as in the subject "Art," on Page 2418 of the Index.
(4) Noting carefully the foregoing, another advantage is brought into prominence, the ability on the part of the editors, through use of the Index, to condense their work, to eliminate repetition of facts and so classify subjects on which a great diversity of information is given, as to provide space for a number of highly important special articles and make the volumes a compact, convenient and usable library of reference. It may be stated that, in the opinion of the publishers, no such successful work in this line has ever before been undertaken.
It is the urgent advice of the publishers that reference be always made first to the Index. Even in finding subjects treated under familiar headings this is good counsel, for with the page in mind one may find the article in a fraction of the time needed to locate it by use of the alphabetical arrangement. When it is remembered that in some cases the subjects will be found not specifically treated in a separate article, in some treated under a title unfamiliar to the reader, and in many cases much added information of value on the subject will be found indicated in additional references, one can appreciate not only the Index as a feature of The New Student's Reference Work, but the wisdom of the advice here given.
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