CHAPTER XXI. 



THE STUDY OF TREES. 



VARIOUS suggestions for the study of trees will be found 

 in the Courses already outlined ; and incidentally in other 

 studies (e.g. of leaves). Here the main points desirable for 

 a unified scheme of study of trees are submitted. 



The work must of course be practical in the sense that 

 individual trees in the neighbourhood of the school should 

 form, in the first instance, the subjects of observation. 

 These should be studied throughout the year with reference 

 to the following points: 



In spring examine shoots of the trees before the buds 

 are unfolded, during and after opening. This examination 

 is to be accompanied by careful drawings in the case of the 

 unopened and fully opened buds. Drawing of the opening 

 buds may prove too difficult in some cases. Attention 

 should be drawn to the delicacy of the texture and colour- 

 ing of the spring leaf, mode of folding in bud, special 

 features of bud leaf, e.g. silkiness, etc. Shoots should be 

 developed in water indoors. 



Note the time of flowering in each case. Examine and 

 draw the flowers. Determine the order of ripening if 

 female flowers before male flowers. Distinguish wind and 

 insect pollinated trees, and trees with conspicuous and in- 

 conspicuous flowers. Keep a record with dates of the order 

 of flowering of different trees in successive years. 



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