STUDY OF WILD FLOWERS 193 



or, if preferred, the work may begin in the fall. Is the 

 plant still alive ? Are any seeds left on it ? The plant has 

 sown the seeds chiefly by aid of the wind. Bend down the 

 leaves and look carefully in the center of the plant close to 

 the ground. Can you find any preparation for the early 

 spring blossoming ? All summer the plant has been getting 

 ready for the early awakening next year. Its buds are all 

 formed and packed away in the furlike covering. Note 

 how late in the season the leaves remain green. Is this 

 a hardy or tender plant? 



Hepaticas and other spring flowers may be easily trans- 

 ferred to the schoolroom for study. Dig up the soil at 

 some distance around and under them so the roots will 

 not be disturbed in the least. Set them in a dish or pan 

 with a little additional soil. Keep them moist and you will 

 be able to preserve them in good condition for several 

 weeks. When you are through with the study, what will 

 you do with them? One thing be sure not to do, and that 

 is to let them wither and die on your hands. Why not 

 start a wild-flower garden in a corner of the school yard? 

 If you have shrubs in the yard, place the plants near these. 

 If it does not seem practicable to start a wild-flower garden 

 on the school grounds, suggest to the children that they take 

 the plants and set them out at home. Many of the children 

 will be delighted to start a wild-flower garden of their own. 

 Try to have them imitate, so far as possible, the natural 

 conditions in which the plants grow, especially as regards 

 shade and moisture. 



Watch for the succession of spring flowers. The blood 

 root, with its kidney-shaped leaves and pure white flower, 

 is an excellent specimen to study in order to see how the 



