670 Junior Naturalist Monthly. 



4. Notice the three small green, leaf-like parts that are around the 

 flower-bud. As the flower opens see whether they are a part of it, or 

 whether they are a little way from it on the stem. 



5. Observe the stem closely. Is it short or long? Hairy or smooth? 



6. As the new leaves appear, find out whether they are fuzzy on 

 the inside as well as on the outside. Notice how they are rolled up and 

 watch them unroll. 



7. In how many different colors do you find hepaticas? 



8. Do some smell sweeter than others? If so, does color seem to 

 have anything to do with it? 



9. Look at a hepatica plant at night or very late in the afternoon. 

 Also watch it early in the morning and in cloudy weather. Then look 

 at it in bright sunshine. Do you see any change in the flowers? I 

 think you will discover something of much interest. 



TO. Seed-time among hepaticas is very interesting. Notice what 

 becomes of the three small, leaf-like parts that were underneath the 

 flower. How many seeds are there? 



11. How long do you think the leaves of hepatica remain on the 

 plant? Do you suppose they remain green all winter? 



12. What becomes of the hepatica plant after it blossoms? Did you 

 ever see one in summer? Describe. 



PREPARING FOR THE GARDEN. 

 Ada E. Georgia. 



Spring always seems a loiterer, and when she really comes, finds us 

 such a lot of work to do. But it is fun if it is only out-of-doors. As 

 soon as the snow and the frost has left the earth let us begin to get the 

 ground ready for our garden. 



First, we will pick off all the sticks, stones, and rubbish of all kinds. 

 Even though it is too early to plant anything but sweet peas, we will 

 turn over the soil and let Jack Frost crumble and mellow it for us, and 

 perhaps kill some harmful grubs and worms which may be waiting for 

 the first green growths of spring. If around the fences there are any 

 neglected weed stalks we will carefully burn them lest they may contain 

 similar enemies. The potato stalk-weevil sometimes lives over the winter 

 in the joints of horse-nettle and ground-cherry. 



Let us sow our sweet peas first, in a row by themselves, not less 

 than four inches deep, and we will make their bed as mellow as the 

 cold earth will allow. In a few days we will turn the loosened soil again 



