LESSONS WITH PLANTS 



301 



Plant corn, wheat, peas, beans, sunflowers, squash, radish, 

 etc. These germinate well, and the plants from them can 

 be used for many observations and experiments on plant 

 life and behavior. Also let the pupils sow flower seeds 

 and raise plants that they will care to keep. 

 In this way pretty window-boxes of flowers 

 can be raised, or the seedlings may later be 

 set out in beds. Let the pupils take home 

 the plants started in school. Encourage the 

 cultivation of a vegetable garden and flowers 

 at home. Sweet alyssum, candytuft, portu- 

 laca, dwarf and climbing nasturtiums, 

 phlox, pansies, pot-marigold, zinnias, and 

 asters are excellent plants for the purpose. 

 Morning-glories cannot be transplanted well, 

 and should be raised where wanted. If the 

 boys feel that flower culture is too effeminate 

 for them, which is not the case, however, 

 rouse their interest by getting them to plant 

 vegetables, and plants like cotton, flax, 

 tobacco, peanuts, and others not so com- 

 monly seen. Also let them plant the seeds of apples, 

 plums, cherries, oranges, and lemons, and other fruit 

 trees; of acorns, butternuts, walnuts, and other nuts; 

 of elms, maples, basswood, pines, balsams, etc. These 

 tree seedlings might be distributed to the children to 

 plant at home. If they raise any of these to maturity 

 they will always take a peculiar pride and interest in 

 these trees. A cherry tree planted as a seed by a boy six 

 years old will yield bushels of cherries by the time he is a 

 man. 



FIG. 107. An Oak 

 Seedling. 



