4 NATURE STUDY REVIEW [10:1— Jan., 1914 



and there should be lessons in recognizing the seeds and especially 

 the seedlings of garden weeds and weeds planted with crops. 

 Whether a weed is an annual with special adaptations for sowing 

 its seeds where they will find congenial soil in which to grow the 

 following year, or whether it is a biennial with special provision 

 for lasting over winter, or whether it is a perennial that once 

 planted remains for years to fight for space, its history should be 

 studied from beginning to end and once for all, so whenever it is 

 seen it may be understood and dealt with intelligently and ef- 

 fectually. And where in all nature can we find a greater variety 

 of habit to illustrate plant growth than we find in studying the 

 purslane with its shallow roots and water-tank leaves, burdock 

 with its tap root and great flimsy basal leaves that shade down and 

 out all vegetation in its neighborhood, and the Canada thistle 

 with its tenacious rootstocks and prickly armor! In fact, the 

 whole study of seed distribution concerns us most practically when 

 carried on in connection wit'h weeds. 



The story of the insect pests must be worked out through nature-^ 

 study if they are to be dealt with in any effectual way. And right 

 here there is enough material to last during all of the grades in 

 which nature is taught and "then some." Each insect that is. 

 found in the garden should be studied from egg to adult and all 

 its mysterious incarnations made plain. The facts thus ascer- 

 tained should show whether it is a foe, a friend, or simply a chance- 

 visitor. Similar studies should be made of mice, rabbits, or any 

 other animals that may visit and make havoc among our planted- 

 crops. 



With the birds that find quarters near our gardens we have 

 another line of lessons branching in many directions and full of 

 fascination. The song sparrow, chippy, jimco, robin, bluebird, 

 catbird, yellow warbler, phoebe, oriole, hummingbird, all visit our 

 gardens for various purposes of their own, and every phase of 

 their lives should be well known by observation to the yoimg 

 gardener. 



But nowhere else, perhaps, is nature-study more needed in 

 elementary agriculture than when concerned with the live stock 

 of the farm. The characteristics of each species should be studied 

 from the standpoint of its development in a wild state; for only 

 by this means can be made plain the reasons for its desirable or tm- 

 desirable qualities. 



