300 DOMESTICATED ANIMALS AND PLANTS 



ago, to the great alarm of everybody, and nothing seemed able 

 to stop it ; but in a very few years it subsided, apparently of its 

 own accord, and within a few more was practically extinct. 

 Others " come and go " with the seasons, just as white clover 

 is abundant in a wet season and then unnoticed perhaps for 

 many years. It is still there, but is inconspicuous until condi- 

 tions become peculiarly favorable. Still others are always with 

 us, always a menace to the valuable cultivated crops, always 

 ready to rob the land of its fertility and its moisture, and the 

 farmer of his profits. 



Exercises. 1. Make a list of wild plants in the neighborhood that are 

 related to domesticated species. 



2. Discuss the question whether any wild plants of the neighborhood 

 could be made of economic use to man. 



3. Make a herbarium of leguminous plants, taking care to preserve the 

 flowers, the fruits, and the tubercles. These latter are difficult to secure. 

 If the plant is pulled up, they will be stripped off. The plant should be 

 carefully lifted out with a spade, and the earth should be removed by gentle 

 shaking and then washing in a generous quantity of water. 



4. Secure a small plat or field near the schoolhouse on which to raise 

 different varieties for study and comparison. 



5. Compare the pistils and the pollen-bearing parts of corn with those of 

 Kafir corn, clover, beans, and alfalfa. 



6. Raise some hemp, in order to note the difference between the " male " 

 and the " female " plants. If hops are grown in the neighborhood, note 

 same with them. 



7. Write the story of the domestication of the American grape. For data 

 see M Evolution of our Native Fruits," by Bailey. 



8. What wild plants in your neighborhood might, in your judgment, make 

 valuable plants in cultivation ? 



References. 1. " Origin of Cultivated Plants " (from which the data of 

 this chapter are largely taken). De Candolle. 



2. M Animals and Plants under Domestication " (Vol. I, chaps, ix and x). 

 Darwin. 



3. " Evolution of our Native Fruits." Bailey. 



4. A good collection of seedsmen's catalogues, which is the best guide 

 to new things. 



