guss] GRADED COURSE OF GARDEN WORK 223 



Cuttings (see previous grades) ; or, 



Bulbs. Teach to plant, care for, and force 



By use of spent bulbs of narcissus, crocus, etc., teach their structure. 

 Differences. Advantage of bulb-plants over others. Find new bulbs forming. 

 (See leaflets for Study of Bulbs). 



Seeds 



Review work of Grade IV with large, typical seeds in different stages of 

 germination. Show that a seed contains a little plant; why seeds are borne; 

 what use we make of seeds; why. 



Seed testing and seed selection. Why exercise care in ordering seeds? 



Review experiments of Grade V. 



Soil and Soil Water 



Review the work of Grade V. 



Experiments to show capillarity and the effect of a mulch. (Nos. 12 and 



14)- 



Show how tilling affects the soil. 



How water is taken in by roots and forced up in stems (Experiment 8. 

 Recall Experiment 7). 



Experiment to show the relative capacity of different soils for taking in 

 and holding moisture (No. 15, Experiments with Plants and Soils). Connect 

 with plowing and harrowing. Apply also in explaining the value of humus 

 in fields and forests. 



Fertilizers 



The need for returning plant food to the soil; manure, compost, artificial 

 fertilizers, if any are used. Proper treatment of manure to prevent breeding 

 of flies, also its deterioration. 



Gardens 



As in Grade V at school and at home. Start small seeds, as petunia, 

 snapdragon, in flats (See leaflets, "Starting Seeds Indoors") . 



Flowers 



Direct pupils' observation in trying to show, — which of the plants bear 

 flowers, the parts of typical flowers; the use of each part; fertilization and 

 reproduction; why plants bloom. How bees, etc., help the flowers. 



Trees 



Recognition and uses of common trees. Effect in a garden. 

 Planting trees (Arbor Day). 



