60 REPRESENTATIVE PLANTS 



Why does grated horse radish lose in strength in stand- 

 ing ? What do radishes bring in " returns" to the producer? 

 How are radishes regarded by the Chinese and Japanese ? 



9. POLYPETALOUS FlOWERS OF THE RoSE FAMILY 



Kinds and place of growth. Various forms of the poten- 

 tillas, often called " yellow strawberries," or five-fingers 

 strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and the loild roses 

 are obtainable at the season, early June, when this study 

 is contemplated. Observe, in every case, if you gather the 

 flowers, where they flourish most luxuriantly ? 



Plants and flowers. Observe any peculiarities about the 

 plants, as to habit of growth, stem and leaf, and, in particu- 

 lar, the number of petals, stamens, and pistils, and determine 

 whether the different parts are borne on the receptacle (as 

 in buttercups, which these flowers often resemble) or that 

 some different arrangement exists. What relation exists 

 between the calyx and the ovary ? Determine the form of 

 the inflorescence. Make a drawing of an individual flower 

 and flower plan and diagram of the inflorescence. 



Plants of this family with use. Examine all possible ref- 

 erence books and make a list of plants cultivated for orna- 

 ment and for use that belong to the Rose family. The 

 number of " small fruits " furnished by this family is very 

 large, and they are the chief source of the commercial value 

 of the " berry " crop supplied to the great city markets. 



Compare wild berries with the cultivated kinds and note 

 the improvements brought about by cultivation. 



For the student in the northern part of the United States, 

 there is no more appropriate place to study how new or 

 better fruits are produced than in connection with the fruits 

 of this family. Every pupil whose home has a fruit garden, 

 or even vacant land, is able, if he so desires, to do some- 

 thing along these lines. 



