192 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



children of all schools remote from woodland should have 

 no opportunity of becoming acquainted with the woodland 

 blossoms. If woods are within six or eight miles of the 

 district, somebody may make a Saturday trip and bring 

 into the schoolroom specimens of a few common spring 

 flowers. 



The general problem to solve in connection with spring- 

 flower study is, How do these plants manage to open up 

 their flowers and leaves so early? 



Have the children watch for the earliest spring flower. 

 In most localities this is the hepatica, that blossoms 

 almost before the last snow has melted. It bears a delicate 

 blue, pink, or almost white flower with a fuzzy stem. 

 Have the children note where the hepaticas are to be 

 found. Do they seem to like hillside slopes, or flat, level 

 situations ? Are there any leaves on the plant ? Are they 

 this year's or last year's leaves? Where are the flower 

 stems attached to the plant, in the middle or around the 

 edges? Look carefully down among the old leaves near 

 the ground. What do you find? What are the buds 

 covered with ? Is there any advantage in this thick, fuzzy 

 covering ? 



When do the first leaves appear? Are there any 

 flowers left at this time ? Notice the leaves that come out 

 later. Have they as thick a coat of fuzz as the early ones ? 

 What do you find now in* place of the flowers? Does one 

 flower produce more than one seed ? How many ? When 

 are the seeds ripe ? How are the seeds scattered ? 



Does the plant die after it has matured its seeds? 

 Mark several plants in the woods by placing a stake near 

 them, and, if possible, continue the observation in the fall, 



