282 A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



trunks to protect them from winter injuries. Use cornstalks, 

 building paper, wood veneering, window screening, or any 

 convenient wrapping material. 



Pruning an old apple tree. Go with the class to an old 

 orchard where the trees have been neglected and have grown 

 tall and unshapely. Let one or two boys with pruning saws 

 go into the top of the tree and cut the limbs according to 

 the teacher's directions. Follow the principles discussed in 

 preceding paragraphs, and prune one tree as a demonstra- 

 tion. 



Spraying demonstration. If the school does not have a 

 spray pump, perhaps it could be arranged in the community 

 for a demonstration to be given for the benefit of the class 

 at some home orchard. Mix and apply the spray in the 

 presence of the class as described on page 270. 



Exercises in grafting. The pupils studying this lesson 

 should either go to some tree and practice top-grafting, as 

 suggested in the paragraph on grafting, or bring twigs of 

 apple trees into the schoolroom and make the grafts. See 

 various texts for full explanation of the cleft graft and" of 

 making grafting wax. 



Observational studies of fruits. Let each pupil have an 

 apple and note the following points. Write out the descrip- 

 tion. 



1. The blossom end and the stem end. 



2. The depression at the blossom end is called the basin. 



3. Color and markings. 



4. Shape and size. 



5. Nature of blemishes, if any. 



6. Cut through the center of the apple across the core. 

 How many seed cells are there? How are they arranged? 

 How many seeds in each cell? Observe the parchment-like 

 walls of the cell. 



7. Make a drawing of a cross section of the apple. 



