140 SEVENTH REPORT. 



TOPICS IX HORTICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS. 



U. p. HEDRICK. 



PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 



Place sreds in a simple gerniinator and study daily until germination is completed. 



Determine the increase in volume of various seeds during imbibition. 



Prove that increase of heat hastens imbibition. 



How mucli does soaking seeds hasten germination as compared with those planted out of doors? 



What are the effects of mechanical injuries on seeds? Try with weevil-eaten neas. 



Soak seeds of one of the former for several hours. Is the mucilaginous substance beneficial? 



Show that heat is produced in germinating seeds. 



Will seeds grow after alternate drying and sprouting? 



Show the influence of light on the germination of potatoes. 



Show the necessity of o.xygen for germination. 



Study the reproduction of plants from cuttings, especially as to the .several kinds of cuttings and 

 requisites for each. 



Propagate flower and shrubs for the school grounds in various ways. 



Have pupils graft and bud plants, using the simple processes. 



Examine root -stocks, corms, tubers, bulbs, and all underground parts used in artificial propagation. 

 Compare with buds. 



Study runners, stolons, tips, and methods of artificial propagation by them. 



VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



Sow short rows of vegetables and have students make notes as they pass through various stages of 

 growth 



Give pupils practice in sowing seeds, transplanting and cultivation. 



What causes seedlings of vegetables to damp off? 



Study effects of food elements in sand or water cultures? 



Make sections of cabbages, Brussels sprouts, and compare with buds of trees. 



Examine flowers and note peculiarities, especially in regard to cross-pollination. 



What are the weeds that infest the garden? 



Will the various cucurbits mix? 



Study the structure of the fleshy-rooted vegetables. 



Study the foliage and habit of growth of tomatoes. 



Compare varieties of tomatoes as to color, shape, flavor, structure of fruits. 



Study the arrangement of eyes on the potato. Examine sprouted tubers as to what eyes give 

 strongest shoots. 



Do tubers of different varieties of potatoes bear the same number of shoots? 



Teach pupils to distinguish vegetables by their seeds. 



Study variation in garden plants, and especially with regard to plant-breeding. Call attention to 

 sports 



Study varieties of vegetables. What constitutes a variety? 



Make observations as to ideal specimens of vegetables of the various kinds. 



POMOLOGY. 



Study the various types of fruits, as pomes, drupes, berries. 



What are the differences between tlie fruits of the several pomes? Of the several drupes? 



Classify the several fruits as to season, flavor, color, etc. 



Study the bloom on fruits. Of what u.se is it? 



Compare iierfect and imperfect flowers of the strawberry. 



What fruits have stems and what ones do not? Shall we "leave the stems on, and why? 



When are fruits ripe and how long will they keep? 



CUve talks on the evolution of native fruits. 



Become familiar with injurious insects and fungi. 



Make a stud.v of the callus at the edge of wounds made in pruning. 



Study injuries resulting from pruning and deduce rules for making the cut and covering the wound. 



Discuss and illustrate the training of trees and vines. 



Wild fruits are often borne in clusters, and but singly in cultivated varieties of the same species. 

 Why? 



Study relations of cultivation to seedage by comparing seeds in wild and in cultivated fruits of same 

 species. 



Observe what becomes of all floral organs in fruits. 



Note peculiarities of floral organs as related to cross-pollination. 



Study buds and bearing wood of all fruits with regards to kinds of buds, where borne, fruit spurs, 

 long and short shoots, age of wood, etc. 



Study the mifolding of leaf and flower buds 



Make notes on the develojiment of fruits from flowers to maturity. 



A.gricultural College, Mich. 



