74 FARM AND SCHOOL PROBLEMS. 



9. What is inbreeding in plants? 



10. Why does a stalk of corn standing by itself frequently have an 

 imperfect development of kernels even though it is not detasseled? 



11. Name some of the plants that are raised from seeds sown in 

 hot-beds and which are taken up and planted in the garden. 



12. Have you ever studied an experiment station bulletin on cutting 

 potatoes and potato culture? 



13. From what kinds of stems do we get turpentine? Maple syrup? 

 Molasses? 



Laboratory Exercises and Experiments. 



Study the structure of a cornstalk. Learn the names of its 

 different parts. Notice the arrangement of the grooves and leaves. 

 Where do you find the buds? Cut a cross section midway be- 

 tween the nodes, and observe the composition of the interior. 

 Compare a green stalk with an old dry stalk. Find the vessels 

 or ducts that convey the sap from the roots to the leaves and 

 from the leaves to the roots. 



Cut a cross section of oak. Study the comparison between 

 the section of a twig from one to three years old and a section of 

 an old trunk of many years growth. 



Compare a lily bulb with an oak bud. 



Place a plant in a dark room or box having but little light 

 coming from but one direction and note in which direction the 

 plant grows. 



Plant a hill of corn in an isolated place. Detassel the corn 

 so that it will receive no pollen on the silk. Examine the matured 

 ear of corn and note if any part of the ear is not developed. Give 

 explanation for cause. 



Dissect a kernel of corn and show in which part of the kernel 

 each of the following are located, starch, oil, protein? 



Budding, Grafting, Layering. 

 EXPERIMENTS IN PLANT PROPAGATION. 



CUTTINGS. 



Equipment. Secure twigs of willow, currant, cottonwood 

 and grape and store in a cellar during winter. Make or secure 

 a box of the size desired and fill with sand to a depth of ten or 

 twelve inches. Secure herbaceous cuttings of geranium and other 

 plants. 



