132 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



Upon looking closely the children will find many green 

 leaves close to the ground. Some of the leaves will be half 

 green and half dead. Have weather conditions had any- 

 thing to do with the number of leaves that have remained 

 green? Compare the grass that is found growing on a 

 southern slope with that on a northern or western exposure. 

 If the children find a spot where no green leaves are visible, 

 leave with them the problem whether or not the entire plant 

 is dead. Let them watch the spot occasionally until they 

 are convinced that new plants are springing up from the 

 ground. What makes it possible for the plant to do this ? 

 Dig up a small sod of bluegrass, wash all the soil out 

 of the roots, keep it moist, and bring it into the school- 

 room for study. Examine the portion of the sod that grew 

 above ground. Can you make out individual plants? 

 How are these related to one another ? Are they far apart 

 or close together? Look at the part that grew in the 

 ground. How many distinct structures do you find? 

 Distinguish the mass of small threadlike roots from the 

 underground stem or slender rootstock. Have the children 

 note the difference between this underground stem and 

 the roots. The stem has joints, thin scale leaves, and often 

 a bud at the end which sends up a new grass plant. Have 

 the children look for these new shoots. Note the direction 

 of growth of the rootstock. What are the advantages of 

 this rootstock during a severe winter ? The plants above 

 ground may be dead, but the rootstock will still live and 

 have its bud all ready to send up a new shoot when warm 

 weather comes. It enables the plant to spread over a 

 larger area. It helps to tide over a dry season as well 

 as a cold one. 



