Teacheks' Leaflet. 



627 



the very best location before striking root. The young plant will often have 

 several leaves before putting forth roots. After the young plant has root growth 

 enough to feed itself, the runner ceases to carry sap from the main stem and 

 withers to a mere dry fiber. The parent plant continues to live and bear fruit, 

 for the strawberry is a perennial, but the later crops are of less value. 



Growers either renew their plots each year, or if intending to harvest a 

 second year's crop, cut off all runners as they form. 



LESSON LXXII. 

 THE FLOWER. 



Purpose. — To teach the children the parts of the flower and help them 

 to distingtiish the perfect-flowererl and pistillate varieties. 



Material. — Blossoms ,^ 



of both pistillate antl /-^.'l///^' 



perfect-flowered varie- 

 ties, and if obtainable, 

 a wild strawberr}' plant. 

 The better plan would 

 be to pot a plant of 

 each variety and place 

 it in a sunny window. 

 Warmth and moisture 

 will force them into 

 bloom in a short time, 

 so that flowers mav be 



StraZ'.'bcrry leaf; pistillate floiccr above and 

 staminate ilozver beloic. 



had for study before they are in blossom out-of-doors, giving an oppor- 

 tunity for verification and review. 



Observations by pitpils. — 



(i). What is the color of the blossoms? 



(2). Coimt the parts in the "hull" or calyx. 



(3). Note the number of petals. Does the ninnber differ in different 

 flowers ? Has the wild strawberry as many petals as the cultivated ones ? 



(4). Study ("with a lens if possible), the small green "button" in the 

 center of the imperfect flower. This is made up of pistils so closely set 

 that only the very tips or stigmas are visible. 



(5). Where are the stamens set in the perfect flowers? Are they 

 many or few ?* Do the wild strawberry blossoms lack stamens ? 



(6). How are the blossoms arranged in the cluster, in a spike or a 

 loose panicle? 



(7)- Do the flowers all open at the same time? 



(8). Do the blossom-stems rise above the leaves or are they some- 

 what sheltered and hidrlen by them? 



(9). What parts of the blossom fall away and what parts remain 

 when the fruit begins to form? 



