224 NATURE-STUDY REVIBW [6:8-Nov., mo 



crop was taken to the school kitchen where the children shelled 

 the peas, cooked them and served them with crackers, and rad- 

 ishes and lettuce furnished by the first and second grades. The 

 principal and two class teachers were invited as guests of the 

 occasion, and each and every one decided that an abundant and 

 satisfying luncheon had been served. 



The fourth grade as their problem study the cereal grains. 

 This topic fits into their studies of foods in physiology and the 

 commercial products of the United States in geography. Each 

 spring the question comes up as to the best grain to plant in the 

 school garden. Last spring, after much discussion, it was de- 

 cided to plant pop-corn. The children brought sample ears — 

 seven kinds. These were tested and the best planted. The crop 

 was well cared for until the close of school, and, although it was 

 then neglected, quite a good yield was obtained from it. 



One year the corn was not tested and the effect was very 

 evident. Much of the corn had to be replanted three times 

 before a satisfactory growth could be obtained in the various 

 hills. Last spring the class profited by the failure of the pre- 

 \ ious year. 



The culmination of this corn planting comes in a Thanks- 

 giving celebration held by the class when it reaches the fifth 

 grade. Last year for several days previous to that occasion, 

 time was given in class periods to the preparation of a number of 

 essays and other exercises relating in various ways to corn. The 

 following program was given before the assembled school: 



1. Meaning of the Word "Corn" 



2. Discovery of Indian Corn by Europeans 



3. Legend of Mondamin 



4. How the Indians Cultivated the Corn 



5. Methods Used by Indians for Preparing Corn 



6. Modern Uses of Corn 



7. Corn as Our National Flower 



8. "The Corn Song" : Whittier 



Frederick Leroy Sargent's book, ''Corn Plants: Their Uses 

 and Ways of Life," was used as a reference in the preparation of 

 several of the above numbers. 



After the celebration, the corn gathered from the garden 

 was popped and each member of the class received a portion 

 which, although not satisfying in quantity, was most gratifying 

 in quality. 



