514 Home Nature-Study Course. 



Turnips have several insect enemies. The cabbage butterflies lay their eggs on 

 the rutabaga leaves almost as freely as on the cabbage; the leaves of the flat 

 turnip are often riddled by the flea beetle. The worst enemy is the root maggot, 

 which is the larva of a fly, and it burrows deeply into the tuber, spoiling it for 

 household use. This is the same pest which attacks the radish. References.— 

 "Injurious Insects," p. 35, no, United States Entomological Bulletins. 



THE GERANIUM. 



Preliminary Work. — This tlower will grow for every one, and is much loved 

 because of its bright blossoms. At any season of the year it is possible to have 

 the flowers for study. The single varieties are best for this purpose. No outside 

 help is needed in getting the children interested in this plant; if it grows in the 

 schoolhouse windows or on the grounds the interest will be already created. 



LESSON LXXVni. 



THE GERANIUM PLANT. 



Purpose. — To cultivate in the pupils the habit of closer observation 

 of this common plant. 



Note that the stem is thick and fleshy ; there is food stored in these 

 stems, which accounts for the readiness with which cuttings will grow. 

 Notice the stipules where the leaves start from the stem and that these 

 remain after the leaf has fallen. The leaves should be drawn, as they 

 offer excellent material for a careful drawing lesson; they are of various 

 shapes although of one general pattern. Some of them show the dark 

 horseshoe mark, which gives the name " horse-shoe " geranium. The 

 first thing to note about the flower is that there are many flowers growing 

 together in one head. Note especially how much more showy are the 

 flowers thus arranged than if they were scattered over the plant. Note 

 how many flowers there are in one head. It is well to begin to study 

 the blossom when it is still in the bud. Note that the buds droop ; note 

 that the bud at the center rises first and blossoms. Let the pupils keep 

 a calendar, stating each day how many there are in blossom, whether 

 the central or outside blossom blooms first, whether some of the blossoms 

 are faded before the last one opens. In studying the single flower note 

 the five sepals and five petals, while the double ones have many petals. 

 Note that the anthers arc five in number, and that the top of the pistil 

 is five-parted, each division curling back, making it a most exquisite 

 object to look at through a lens. The geranium has been cultivated 

 so long by cuttings that it seldom produces any seed. It would be well 

 to say something to the pupils about these plants, which have depended 

 upon man so long for their planting, multiplying and distribution that 

 they do not raise any more seeds for themselves. 



