652 



Rural School Leaflet. 



centrate the observation, it is well to set a certain number of attributes 

 or marks or qualities to be looked for. 



Suppose any two or more plants of corn are compared in the follow- 

 ing points, the pupil endeavoring to determine whether the parts exactly 

 agree. See that the observation is close and accurate. Allow no guess- 

 work. Instruct the pupil to measure the parts wlien size is involved. 



1. Height of the plant. 



2. Does it branch ? How many 

 secondary stems or " suckers " 

 from one root? 



3. Shade or color. 



How many leaves? 

 Arrangement of leaves on 



4- 



5- 

 stem. 



6. 



of six main leaves. 



Measure length and breadth 



Fig. I. — A^o two plants in this rozv of corn arc alike. 



7. Number and position of metrically, or has it been crowded 

 ears ; color of silks. by other plants or been obliged to 



8. Size of tassel and number struggle for light or room ? 



and size of its branches. it. Note all unusual or inter- 



9. Stage of maturity or ripe- esting marks or features. 



ness of ]:)lant. 12. Always make note of com- 



ic. Has the plant grown sym- parative vigor of the plants. 



Tf the corn is already cut, make the comparisons fmm stalks taken 

 from the shock ; or apply a similar method to some other jilant. Similar 

 work can be done with any large branch of a tree, comparing all the 



