224 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [12:5— May, 1916 



GRADE VII 



Plant Study 

 Adaptations of plants (note all possible). 

 Drawings of most interesting features. 



Uses and adaptations of roots, stalk, leaves, blossom, fruit, seed. Study 

 especially squash, nasturtium, corn and apple. 



Dispersal of seeds (including weed seeds) as illustrated in gardens. 



Harvesting 

 Children held to proper methods of harvesting. 



Teach children how to prepare products for market and for exhibition 

 purposes (See Grade VI). 



Scoring 

 Determine what products are the best of their kind. 

 Why are they best? How is good seed selected? 



Composting 

 Teach how to compost, and its importance. 



Bulbs, Perennials 

 Review work on bulbs. Teach to plant bulbs outdoors; also herbaceous 

 perennials, shrubs, and trees; or, small fruits. 



Seeds 

 Review work on seeds. 

 Test all kinds sown. Vitality, purity. 

 Treatment of seed for disease; also potatoes before planting. 



Soil 

 Review what was learned in Grade VI. 

 Soil map (top soil) of whole garden, or of a farm. 

 Qualities of top soil and sub-soil — how improved. 

 Plowing — fall, spring, — advantages. 



Fertilizers 

 Review Grade VI. 



Study of composition of artificial fertilizers. 

 How to use fertilizers. Trial plots or rows. 



Crop 

 (Commercial plots — larger units if possible. Club work.) 

 Intensive study of the crop chosen by pupil. (May include small fruits, 

 or a lawn or herbaceous perennials, shrubs, etc., for decorating grounds.) 

 Seed selections. 

 Growing season required. 



