212 NATURE STUDY REVIEW [9:7— Oct., 1913 



flower parts and to discuss the usefulness to man will be fall nature- 

 study topics. Cosmos and other flowers blooming in September 

 and October will supply specimens to the art department and 

 through it to design and art needlework, just as last spring our 

 flowering bulbs performed the same duty. As seeds ripen they 

 will be gathered, packeted and labeled, furnishing thereby the 

 opportunity of observing the abundant means of plant propagation 

 and the conclusion to a study of life cycles. Sunflower and com 

 are plants admirably adapted to such study, especially for young 

 children who work best with large fruits, while the smaller fruits 

 and seeds will be studied most by older children who will also have 

 more mature topics of study on the aforenamed plants. 



Although the department of agriculture is separate from nature- 

 study and furnishes vegetables to the domestic science department 

 of the school, yet the children who cultivate vegetables to maturity 

 will demonstrate at school their uses in the home and will briefly 

 tell the processes necessary in their preparation for eating. Through 

 gardening, a better understanding of parts of literature is achieved. 

 Com in connection with the story of Hiawatha is one instance. 



The lessons about economically useful plants come frequently 

 during autumn and culminate at Thanksgiving in harvest review 

 lessons. Children are taught the names of parts of plants that are 

 used for food. Tuber, bulb, underground stem and root are 

 vividly understood because in each case a specimen typifies the 

 group. Onion study introduces the study of flowering bulbs, 

 important in autumn. 



Not all garden work is directly plant study; those animals 

 common in gardens are studied or discussed as the children flnd 

 them. This year several practical lessons were based on angle 

 worms, slugs, garden toads and wire worms. 



A problem that confronts all engaged in school garden work is the 

 care of gardens during summer. For us it is solved (t) by summer 

 school continuing until August first; and (2) by having a man in 

 charge thereafter until the autumn session. All children who can 

 do so are urged to attend summer school or otherwise continue 

 garden work. 



Another problem that confronts workers in regions inadequately 

 watered is irrigation. It is necessary for our children to irrigate 

 their gardens but not difficult, for water is abundantly piped to the 

 place needed. 



