112 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



the same in size? When do the seeds begin to fall? 

 Watch them flying down from the trees, whirling around, 

 fluttering like butterflies. In what way are the wings of 

 any help to the seeds ? How far away from the tree do the 

 winged seeds travel? 



Gather a number of the seeds and plant them in the 

 school garden or in flower pots or boxes in your window 

 garden. Suggest to the children that they also plant some 

 at home. How long after the planting is it that the young 

 plants begin to appear? How many leaves has the little 

 tree at first? Do these look at all like maple leaves? 

 Watch for the appearance of the next leaves. Where do 

 they appear ? What becomes of the two long, slender leaves 

 which appeared first? Can you find any young maple 

 trees that have planted themselves ? Where are they ? 



Some time should be given to a discussion of the value 

 of the maple. Find what uses the children can name, 

 such as shade, nesting and feeding places for birds, fuel, 

 and furniture. Are there any objections to the soft maple 

 as a shade and ornamental tree about the house ? 



THE FLICKER. Third Grade 



The flicker is one of our most common birds. Because 

 of its large size, striking characteristics, and habit of nesting 

 near our dwelling^ it is an excellent bird to study in detail 

 in the lower grades. The first lesson should be an out- 

 door observation for the purpose of identifying it. Have 

 the children note the size (a little larger than a robin), the 

 color of the back (grayish-brown barred with black), the 

 red spot on the back of the head, and the black crescent 



