44 FIELD CROPS 



undisturbed. Note that the vigor of growth depends on the quantity 

 of plant food available, as indicated by the size of the portions which 

 were allowed to remain. Portions of the starchy upper part of the corn 

 kernel may be cut away before planting without injuring the germ. 

 Cut several kernels in this way. Note effect on germination and growth. 



4. Cut five or six thicknesses of blotting paper the size of a large 

 plate, place in the plate and have another plate of the same size to turn 

 down over it. Make several of these small germinators and place 

 fifty grains of wheat, oats, or barley between the blotting paper in each; 

 moisten and keep moist the blotting paper in all' but one. (Several 

 thicknesses of cloth may be used instead of the blotting paper if desired.) 

 Set one of the germinators in a cool place and another where it remains 

 at about the ordinary temperature of the room, 70 degrees. Place the 

 dry germinator alongside the moist one in the warm room. Set one 

 germinator in a warm, Ught place and another in a warm, dark one. 

 Let no germinators become dry except the one which was started that 

 way. In five or six days examine all of them and see what has hap- 

 pened. Is moisture necessary for germination? Is light? Is heat? 



5. Plant several beans in pots or small boxes of good soil; after the 

 plants appear set one box in a cool place, but where it will not freeze; 

 put another in a dark room or closet; place the remainder in a warm, 

 sunny window. Set one of the pots in the window and let it dr\' out; 

 plunge another in a pan of water to the top. Keep the others moist 

 but not wet. In a few days compare the growth which has been made. 

 Is light necessary? Is heat? Moisture? Do the roots need air? 



6. If there is sufficient time, a large number of other exercises may 

 be worked out, showing that plants need air, light, moisture, plant food, 

 and heat; how they utilize these different factors, and the results, if 

 any are lacking. Farmers' Bulletin 408, School Lessons in Plant Pro- 

 duction, may be obtained free by any teacher and will be very help- 

 ful in suggesting useful exercises for the laboratory. The first four 

 chapters of A. D. Hall's 'The Feeding of Crops and Stock" will be found 

 very readable and instructive, as well as suggestive of numerous methods 

 of illustrating the germination of seeds and the gi-o\\i;h of plants. 



REFERENCES 



Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Bailev. 



Feeding of Crops and Stock, Hall. 



Field Crop Production, Livingston. 



Productive Farm Crops, Montgomery. 



Farmers' Bulletin 408. School Exercises in Plant Production, 



