Rural School Leaflet 937 



bark where the eggs or the young of insects are hidden. In this way many 

 insects that might become great pests are held in check by the industry 

 of the nuthatch. It eats weed seeds also. We should feel much appre- 

 ciation for a farm helper that will prevent a greater spread of injurious 

 forms of life. 



I am sure that sometimes in midwinter it must be very hard for nut- 

 hatches and other birds to get all the food which they should have. 

 It would be well, therefore, to leave some suet or beef fat fastened to a 

 tree in the school yard or in your own home garden, so that the little 

 farm workers may be helped over hard times. Why not have a Christmas 

 tree for the birds? Choose any evergreen near your home or school. 

 Fasten to the branches some suet or beef fat. Perhaps seeds might be 

 left in a basket if tied firmly to a strong branch. It is said that some 

 birds will eat peanuts. String the nuts as you would pop corn and watch 

 the results. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, blue jays, crows, and 

 other birds may visit the Christmas tree. This will give a good oppor- 

 tunity to study them. 



THE POTATO 

 Alice G. McCloskey 



Many boys and girls are not interested in plant life unless it is attractive. 

 Some enjoy the wild flowers of the springtime, the brilliant wayside 

 blossoms of the autumn, or the cultivated garden plants that have been 

 grown to make a bit of color round about the home. In fact, almost all 

 boys and girls are interested in such forms of plant life. 



There are other forms of growing things, however, that are very interest- 

 ing to persons who are willing to spend time in the study of them. These 

 are the useful plants that are grown throughout the country. If one were 

 to know the history of all the farm crops, he would find many wonderful 

 stories connected with them. Some were brought to New York State 

 from other lands. Some that in their native lands were not very valuable 

 have become most valuable in a different place. It would be interesting 

 to trace the history of some of the plant life that we find in orchards and 

 fields at the present day. 



Among the most valuable farm crops in New York State we find the 

 potato. It has an interesting story connected with its introduction into 

 this country, and an interesting life history as we now find it. Ask your 

 teacher to tell you something about the way in which the potato was 

 introduced into the United States. It belongs to the same family 

 as does the tomato and as does the bittersweet that you see climb- 

 ing along fences and stone walls by the roadsides. If you notice the bios- 



