Basketry has been called one of the fads of the newest education. It was
one of the essentials of the oldest education. Basketry still holds a
commanding position among the arts of men, even in countries called
highly civilized. Its place in schools is still somewhat in dispute, but
unquestionably it offers to children a clean and educative handicraft.
Properly taught, it vitalizes certain periods in history, fosters motor
control, develops judgment and taste, and familiarizes the pupil with
one of the ancient and honorable occupations of mankind.
Mr. Turner knows his subject thoroughly, having tramped with Indians for
materials, worked with Indians for processes, practised with pupils for
methods, and studied with specialists for tasteful results. The chapters
of this booklet appeared first as illustrated articles in The School
Arts Book, beginning in April 1905. The demand for them has been so
great that the supply of magazines is exhausted, and this reprint is
made to meet what is evidently a wide-spread demand for first class
instruction in the basic principles of this important kind of manual
art.