140 Lessons in Nature Studv. 



catching the sun's heat and holding it so as to make our 

 plants grow before the weather outside will permit. 



Henry may find out what a cold-frame is and how to 

 make one, and tell us to-morrow. James may tell us about 

 hotbeds. This art of raising early vegetables is called 

 " forwarding." This is an important business near large 

 cities. Carrie may look up this word and tell us about it 

 to-morrow. 



THE LEAF-BUD. 



Much time and attention have been given of late to pri- 

 mary lessons on plant-forms and plant-life. The seed, its 

 coats, its cotyledons and germ have been taken and studied, 

 and their development has been watched and each stage 

 drawn. 



Comparatively little, however, has been done with leaf- 

 buds. Now these are nearly as interesting objects of study 

 as are the seeds. They have the added advantage of being 

 larger, and are thus much easier for pupils of primary grade 

 to study. 



Children, there are interesting things in the yard. Let us 

 see if we can find them. How brightly the sun shines ! 

 Pretty soon the trees will spread their leaves and we shall 

 have shade here. Who has a sharp knife ? Henry, you 

 may get me some twigs from this tree. James, you may get 

 some from that tree. Mary may get some from the bush 

 over yonder. Let each get enough for the class. Now 

 we will go in and study them. 



We will put the twigs in water and keep them fresh. 

 Here are some twigs from a hickory-tree. See what large 

 buds it has. What is the shape of this bud ? Where is the 

 bud (end or side) ? How many outer scales are there ? 

 What color are they ? Are they hard or soft ? Smooth or 

 rough ? Thick or thin ? How do they differ from the 

 inner scales ? How do the insides of scales differ from 

 the outsides ? What do you find on the edges of these inner 

 bud-scales ? Why is the fine down put on these scales ? 

 See how beautifully these scales lap over each other. 



