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APRIL. 



PLANTS. 



Germination of seeds. 



1. Seedage. 



1. Requisites for germination. 



(a) Moisture. 



(b) Free oxygen. 



(c) Definite temperature. 



(d) Influence of lights 



2. Experiments. 



(a) Moisture most important factor. 



(1) Place a gill of each of several kinds of seeds, as corn, 



beans, peas, wheat, in a glass. Pour over each a gill 

 of water. Observe absorption of water at end of twen- 

 ty-four hours. 



(2) Plant some of each kind of seeds in dry, moist and wet 



soils. Observe germination according to amount of 

 moisture. 



(b) Free oxygen. 



(1.) Plant seeds under favorable conditions as regards mois- 

 ture, in jars. Cover one with glass to exclude air, and 

 leave the others exposed to atmosphere. Note effect. 



(c) Definite temperature. 



(1) Expose germinating seeds to cold, cool, warm, and hot 

 temperatures. Observe most congenial conditions. 



(d) Influence of light. 



(1) Submit germinating seed to light, shade, and darkness. 

 Observe best conditions for germinating. 



II. Testing Seeds. 



Soak a given number of seeds, as 100, or if preferred, all that one 

 plant produced, as a pea vine, morning-glory vine. Note successful 

 and unsuccessful efforts at perpetuation of species. 



III. Sowing of seed. 



Teach children to apply the principles gained from the above in 

 practical experience. Encourage formation of gardens. 



IV. Uses of Plants. 



(a) Which are used for food of man? Of horse? Of cow? Of 



sheep? Of swine? Of fowls? 



(b) Which are valued for their seeds? Their fruits? Their 



leaves? Their stalks? Their roots? 



(c) Which are" planted in hills or drills and tilled? Which sown 



broadcast or in close drills and not tilled? 

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