232 NATURE- STUDY REVIEW [<; : s - Nov., 1010 



produced as many as twenty small tubers. Altogether there were 

 five different varieties. These little potatoes have been care- 

 fully stored for the winter. We shall plant them next spring to 

 determine whether any of them will produce potatoes that are 

 worth raising. 



This experiment led to a study of the history of the wild 

 potato ; how it was found by the early explorers in South America 

 and Mexico ; how it was taken to Spain and England and then 

 back to America ; how little by little it has been improved by 

 cultivation and selection until it has become one of the most 

 important food products of the civilized world. 



In connection with the potato we had some interesting studies 

 of the Colorado potato beetle, and of the ladybug that preys upon 

 this pest. 



OATS 



Oats were studied by the eighth grade boys and the nature- 

 study classes of the Normal department. The work began in 

 March with a study of the grains. We had procured two kinds 

 of choice seed oats, the Swedish Select and the Kherson. A 

 number of students who lived on farms had brought from home 

 small samples of seed oats. 



The different grains were compared as to color, shape and 

 size ; and the characteristics of different varieties noted. They 

 were also compared with grains of wheat and differences ob- 

 served. 



This was followed by a test for seed purity. Each student 

 weighed a small sample of oats, then spread the grains out on a 

 sheet of white paper. All foreign bodies, chaff, straw, weed seed, 

 as well as light-weight grains were separated from the good 

 seeds. The seeds were then weighed and the percent of purity 

 calculated. 



The usual germination test was made to determine the vital- 

 ity of the seed. Ten students selected from the same sample ten 

 grains each. While they were doing this two other members of 

 the class put some moist sand in a plate. The hundred grains 

 were then placed on the sand and pressed slightly into it. Another 

 plate was turned over this one in order to prevent the evaporation 

 of moisture. The other samples were treated in the same manner. 



The plates were examined after three days, when it was 

 found that in some cases almost all the grains had sprouted ; in 



