190 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



room has an entry or hall that is not kept as warm as the 

 main room, this will be a good place to keep the plants for 

 several days. After this bring them into the room where 

 they may have plenty of light and heat, and where the 

 development of the leaves and flowers may be watched. 



The Chinese sacred lily or the paper-white narcissus 

 bulb may be grown without forcing the roots, and without 

 soil. These are excellent bulbs for schoolroom study. 

 Fill a dish with small stones and support the bulbs in these. 

 Keep the dish full of water. The bulbs will develop and 

 open up their beautiful blossoms in about six weeks. 



Have the children watch the development of the roots 

 and their growth among the stones. Which start first, the 

 roots or the leaves? Watch the unfolding of the leaves. 

 How many from one bulb ? How rapidly do they lengthen ? 

 Where are the flower buds situated ? Watch the stretching 

 up of the flower stems and the unfolding of the flower buds. 

 How many flowers on one stem? Do all open at one 

 time? How long do they stay in flower? Feel the bulb 

 after the plant has been in flower some time. Does it feel 

 as solid as when you planted it ? Why ? Allow the plant 

 to stand till the leaves begin to die. Now feel the bulb. 

 Has it become solid again ? It has been storing up more 

 food for the new plant next year. 



Encourage the children to force bulbs at home for 

 winter and early spring blooming. 



