SPRING NATURE STUDY. 569 



more than anything else the writer ever attempted to give 

 children a positive interest in nature and nature study and 

 a larger enjoyment of the beauties of nature. 



PLANTING THE SEEDS. 



Get fresh beans and peas grown last season. For the 

 study of the seed itself, Lima or other large beans and as 

 large peas as can be obtained, are best. For planting, get 

 the early dwarf varieties of beans and peas. They mature 

 more rapidly, and if planted in April and given sunshine, 

 will form flowers, pods, and seeds before the closing of 

 school in June. 



Plant not more than an inch deep nor less than an inch 

 apart, in sandy loam, not too sandy, not too heavy. They 

 will not thrive or mature in sand; in soil made of clay, or in 

 leaf mould, the beans are almost certain to sour and decay. 



Window boxes six or eight inches deep, or deep flower- 

 pots, give the roots needed room. 



During the first week or two the seeds will grow as well 

 in the dark as in the light. After this time they should 

 be in sunny windows. If this is impossible, try, two or 

 three times a week, to put them where they will have a sun 

 bath for several hours. In sunless windows peas grow bet- 

 ter than beans. Beans are more apt to decay. The seeds 

 should not be near a stove or radiator. 



Teachers are apt to have their first planting, particularly 

 of beans, decay, because kept too wet. For the first ten days 

 it is well to wet slightly every afternoon, and cover tightly 

 for the night with several thicknesses of newspaper. This 

 will prevent too rapid drying or sudden changes in tempera- 

 ture. After the plants are an inch high it is unnecessary. 



For the children of the first grade, it will be best to limit 

 the study of germination at first to one kind of plant, the 

 bean or pea. The bean is somewhat more simple. 



