GOLDEN-ROD 



45 



Composition. — Describe a single one of the golden- 

 rod plants that you have studied. There are so many 

 kinds of golden-rod that you could not write a descrip- 

 tion to fit them all exactly. Write about a single 

 plant so that any one going across a field would know 

 that kind of golden-rod if he should see it. 



SUPPLEMENTARY WORK 



Kinds of Golden-rod. — During an afternoon's walk you can 

 often find half a dozen kinds of golden-rod. Some are tall, and 

 some have short stems. Some bear their flowers in flat 

 heads, and others bear theirs 

 in drooping plumes. Some 

 have broad, flat leaves, and 

 others have leaves almost as 

 narrow and pointed as pine 

 needles. See how many 

 kinds you can find. Look 

 for a white kind in or near 

 the woods. AVhere do you 

 find the most of the flat- 

 headed kind? Where do the 

 tallest kinds grow ? 



Insect Visitors. — Watch 

 a blossoming golden-rod in 

 a field or wood for a few 

 minutes. How many kinds 

 of insects visit it ? Do 

 you see an insect about an inch in length with hard black 

 wings crossed with yellow bands ? The larva of this insect 

 does great damage to locust trees, for it lives in tunnels which 

 it bores through the wood. It is called a locust-tree borer. Do 

 you see any bees on the golden-rod ? Do you see any flies that 



Golden-rod 



