4 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



and it is on account of the value of their roots that we culti- 

 vate them. Can you mention a root which we frequently 

 use as an appetizer ? It is a root which can easily bring 

 the tears to your eyes. 



After this lesson has been given, let the pupils plant some 

 beans, peas, cucumbers, a few roots, and some corn and 

 wheat, and let them carefully observe the life cycle of these 

 plants. Pay special attention to the germination of the 

 different seeds. 



4. The Apple Tree and Other Fruit Trees. 



MATERIAL: Twigs of apple tree, plum, and cherry, with flowers 

 and leaves ; tulip flowers for comparison. Before the lesson is given, 

 children must have observed how bees arid other insects gather honey 

 and flower dust on the blooming trees. 



Who of us has seen anything more beautiful than an 

 orchard in bloom ? The trees look as if they were covered 

 with snow, sweet fragrance of countless flowers meets us 

 on the gentle breeze, we hear the buzzing of swarms 

 of busy bees, and watch them delve into flower after 

 flower. 



Let us now compare the white or pink flowers of the 

 apple tree with the flowers of the tulip. We find five 

 beautiful flower leaves, which together form the crown or 

 corolla of the flower. Can you tell why we might call them 

 the crown ? Under the corolla leaves we find five small 

 green leaflets. These are called the cup, because in many 

 flowers they are grown together and form a small cup. 

 Within the corolla leaves we find a great many little dust 

 threads, and in the centre is a tiny pistil with a scar on 

 top. How do the tulip and apple blossoms differ ? 



Besides the flowers we find green leaves on the twigs. 

 These leaves have a saw-toothed margin. How do these 



Observations. Appearance of blow-flies, mosquitoes, and other insects ; 

 return of the swallows. 



