ISO METHODS IN TEACHING 



pupils examine some well-soaked lima beans. They should 

 make out the skin-like outer covering and the small open- 

 ing near the scar of attachment to the ovary. This opening 

 admits water to the germinating seed. The bean shoulc 

 then be split and the parts of the embryo plant made out 

 The pupil will see the parts better if he is asked to draw 

 them. Other seeds should be examined in a similar man- 

 ner. The embryo of Indian corn can be well seen by split- 

 ting the grain through a little to the right or left of its 

 center. 



When the young plants appear, pupils should watrf 

 closely their manner of breaking the soil crust, noting 

 which of the parts previously seen in the seed are showr 

 in the unfolding of the young plant. Have them make out 

 the seed leaves of the bean and pumpkin, and find what ha< 

 become of the body of the seed in the case of the corn anc 

 peas. Serial drawings will help them in remembering th( 

 stages of growth. When pupils are too young to make 

 these satisfactorily, blackboard drawings by the teacher wil 

 suffice. By questions lead the pupils to see that the con- 

 ditions necessary for proper germination are moisture, heat 

 and air. If they do not see these as needful, they can be 

 readily convinced by experiment. Try planting some seed; 

 in soil that is constantly soaked with water to the exclusioi 

 of air. Try planting lima beans with the opening befor 

 mentioned just above the surface of the ground. Plan 

 others at the same depth with the opening down, leavin 

 the back of the seed exposed. Which of the seeds thv 

 planted develop? The use of the seed leaves (cotyledons 

 should be made clear. The growth of the roots and roc! 

 hairs can be better seen by the germination of a few radis 1 



