Junior Naturalist Monthly. 325 



of much. The berry is withered now and the little green leaves 

 have dust on the top. You can see that it has been growing along 

 on the ground, for the under sides of the leaves and stem are all earth. 

 The berry is just like a little red potato." 



It may be that many of our Junior Naturalists will be interested 

 in winter berries. I am wondering whether you will find any this 

 month. In Fig. 11 you will find illustrations of four kinds: — 1, 

 barberry; 2, Virginia creeper; 3, bittersweet (a nightshade); 4, false 

 or climbing bittersweet (celastrus). If you find any of these berries 

 have in mind the following: — 



1. Which grow on shrubs? Which on vines? Have you ever seen bright 

 berries on trees in winter? 



2. Note the color of the stem of the Virginia creeper. 



3. The bittersweet belong to the same family as the potato and tomato. Some- 

 time I hope you will compare the blossoms of these plants. 



4. The prettiest of the winter fruits is the false bittersweet, with its crimson 

 and orange colors. 



5. What birds have you ever seen eating winter berries? (You must not taste 

 any berries yourself unless you know just what they are.) 



OWN A GERANIUM. 



In one of the cities of New York State there are over a thousand 

 school children of whom each owns a geranium. Every geranium 

 is marked with the name of the owner, and the boys and girls are 

 trying to grow thrifty plants. During the Easter vacation there 

 will be held in this city an exhibition of geraniums. Then each 

 young gardener will want his plant to be in good condition. He will 

 try to have it strong and well-shaped, with green leaves and bright 

 blossoms. 



We should like every member of the club to take care of a plant 

 from now until Easter time. A geranium will probably be most 

 satisfactory, and you will doubtless be able to get one in your own 

 home. As soon as you have marked it with your name, write a 

 description of the plant. How large is it? How many leaves has 

 it? How many buds or blossoms? Is the plant well-shaped? 

 Keep the description in your note-books until April. Then describe 

 your plant again and send a copy of both descriptions to Uncle John. 

 We shall be glad to publish one or two that show improvement in 

 the growth of the plants. The following suggestions will help you: — 



1. Be sure the flower pot is large enough, in which you are growing your plant. 



2. Water the plant only when it is dry and you will avoid giving it too much 

 moisture. 



3. Notice whether there is plenty of good soil in the pot. 



