614 NATURE STUDY. 



pulling into pieces and study of parts, we shall degrade the 

 most beautiful of God's works. We shall miss the oppor- 

 tunity of all opportunities to open the child's eyes and 

 mind to the beautiful, the uplifting and ennobling in the 

 works of God, to the highest and best thoughts of man. 



The study of flowers has been purposely left to the last. 

 We want to impress very deeply the fact that plant study is 

 not merely or mainly flower study. We want to preserve 

 our wild flowers. We want our boys and girls and their 

 teachers to realize that the flowers are the richest gems 

 in the treasury of nature, which we are opening before their 

 eyes. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR FLOWER STUDY. 



What shall we study in the flower ? 



First. Its development and unfolding, bringing out its 

 relations to the plant. 



Second. Its beauty and the beautiful thoughts it has 

 inspired. 



Third. Its work or function, to produce new plants. 



Fourth. Its parts and plan, and how it is made or fitted 

 for its work. 



The observation in May of cherry or apple or horse-chest- 

 nut blossoms with some study of their parts, will prepare 

 the children for the study of the flowers which form in the 

 schoolroom. 



The development of the flower can be best observed in 

 the bean or pea or morning glory in the schoolroom win- 

 dow or yard. The bean has not finished its work. Roots 

 have gone far into the ground. Stems have grown long and 

 vigorous. Scores of leaves have unfolded and gone to work. 

 Still the plant grows. What is it going to do now ? 



Watch the buds forming and enlarging just between the 

 leaves or leaf stems and the plant stem. Watch this bud 



