Teachers' Leaflet. 533 



Experiment j. — When a stalk of corn is still green in August bend it 

 down and place a stick across it at about half its length. Note how it 

 tries to lift itself to an erect attitude after two weeks. Cut lengthwise 

 across one of the nodes beyond the point held down by the stick and see 

 the wedge-shaped growth that occure in the joint which helps to raise the 

 stalk to an upright position. 



Experiment 4. — During a drouth in August, if one occurs, note that 

 the corn leaves are rolled. Give such a plant plenty of water and see 

 what happens. 



Facts for the teacher. — . The first two experiments are to show the pupil that 

 the corn, unlike many other plants, has many places of growth. While young the 

 lower part of the portion that lies between the two nodes or joints is a growing 

 center; also the tip of the stalk grows. In most plants the tip of the stem is the 

 only center of growth. The pigweed experiment will show this. By having so 

 many centers of growth the corn is able to make growth with great rapidity, often 

 achieving in a few months the length of twenty feet. Experiment 3 is to show the 

 wonderful way the corn stalk lifts itself by growing wedges at the joints. A corn 

 stalk blown down by the wind mil often show this wedge shape at every point, and 

 the result will be an upward curve of the whole stalk. Experiment 4 is to demon- 

 strate the way the corn protects itself from drouth. The leaves in order to check 

 the transpiration of water roll together lengthwise in tubes, so as to offer less 

 surface exposed to the sun and air. The farmer calls this "the curling of the 

 corn," and it is always a sign of drouth. If a corn plant with the leaves thus 

 curled be given plenty of water the leaves will straighten out again their normal 

 shape. 



References : "Corn Plants," Sargent ; Cornell Xature-Study Leaf- 

 lets Vol. I ; " The First Book of Farming," Goodrich ; "Agriculture," 

 Jackson and Dougherty; "Elements of Agriculture," Sever; "Rural 

 School Agriculture," Hays ; "Columbia's Emblem," Houghton, Mifflin. 



THE PUMPKIN. 



Preliminary work. — Suggest to the pupils that the pumpkin is a member of 

 quite a large family, with several of which they may be acquainted, the squash, 

 watermelon, musk-melon and cucumber being relatives ; and that it would be 

 interesting to observe wherein they bear a likeness or differ from each other. 

 Thanksgiving season is an acceptable time for this study because of the stimulus 

 emanating from pumpkin pies. 



LESSON IX. 



THE VINE. 



Purpose. — To lead the pupil to observe the habit of growth of the 

 pumpkin and the way the fruit is developed. 



Material. — A part of a vine having leaves, tendrils, both kinds of 

 flowers, and if possible a young fruit. If the crop is grown in the locality 

 these should be readily obtainable, as they cannot mature before frost, 

 and to prune them ofif is a benefit to the part remaining. 



