STUDY OF FRUITS AND SEEDS. 



247 



STUDY OF SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. 



The study of seeds is most appropriately carried out in 

 spring. 



This study must of necessity be almost entirely experi- 

 mental. The chief points to be aimed at are a clear 

 demonstration of the functions of the seed, of the con- 

 ditions necessary for their fulfilment in the production of 

 a plant, and the different arrange- 

 ments within the seed for the 

 carrying out of these functions. 



It will on the whole probably 

 be better that at the outset the 

 teacher do not confine attention 

 to a single type. Seeds of various 

 plants, big and small, might be 

 germinated first of all on clean 

 soil under normal conditions of 

 moisture, heat, and light. The 

 essential can be differentiated later 

 on from the non-essential, and 

 while the advanced botanical stu- 

 dent may commence the study of 

 seedlings by arranging artificial 

 conditions right away, it is prob- 

 ably more desirable for elemen- 

 tary pupils that they should 

 commence with a study of the 

 conditions under which seeds actu- 

 ally germinate in nature. 



Seeds of various weeds, cereals, 



garden flowers, fruit trees, etc., should be mixed and 

 sown in boxes such as may be obtained at the grocer's 

 shop. Make a list of the seeds sown. In other boxes 

 (controls) the seeds of the various types should also be 

 sown apart in rows and labelled, so that the seedlings, if 

 unfamiliar to the teacher at first, may be readily identified 

 in the mixed sowing. 



Fig. 126. The Germinating 

 Bean two stages. 



