22() l'lt()l'Mi;SS()R lilONlOl, S. UKAMO, F.lv'.C.I'., K.U'.S., ON 



lilc Ix'iii;^' (li'Ktroycd. It may bf ])lac'e(l in water, or it may 

 \)v Kcorcluul by i]\c nuii a^-ain ami ai^-aiii, and it will not bo 

 killed. 'Vhv connnon a(M»in \h an exam})le. Jt is a seiMl, the 

 germ of wliicsh Ih moHt dillieult to kill, and the p;rowin}^' 

 embryo, at least in its early Kta|!,'eK, is not easily destroycul. 

 The constitution of the j^ta-m of the acorn, in fact, exhibits 

 in its constitution that of the oak into which it is to f>'row. 

 Of all the Hlih' planln h)ved by (^hiUlren, the oak, as it j>;rows 

 from iht^ a(H»rn,is one which will allbrd much interest. ]\lany 

 a. tiny oak tree, when Jive or Hix inches higli, uiay be trt^atcd 

 carelessly and almost deprivml of water for some time and 

 yet survive, so vif;"orous is it in vital (constitution. 



In the education of younp; children, it is wise to allow them 

 to grow a IV'W plants in this simj)lc way, and tliey should be 

 encouraged to watch tln^ gi'owth of })lants from ye;>r to year 

 as they grow in water, or damp sand, or earth. Common 

 mustard seed is very suitable for the instructicm of children. 

 It only requires to be placed in a saucer with a little water, 

 or on a piece of damp flannel, or sj)onge, or blotting ]>a])er, 

 so as to be prevented from getting absolutely dry — and tiie 

 ])rocess of germination and growth may be studied and 

 thought over day by day. The child will, in a feAV days, 

 observe the little roots growing down, and the little stem 

 growing upwards. Those Avho have watched such living 

 growth in childliood nt^ver forget the wonders of life and 

 growth. Chestnuts, ]>eas, beans, and otlu'r seeds may be 

 tried, but nmstard seed, which is so t'asily procured, and may 

 be grown even in mid-winter if })laced near the window in a 

 liglit warm room, is among tlu^ most interesting seed for 

 schools. Poor, as well as rich, have the means of showing 

 their children how living growth takes place ; and may see 

 how root, and stem, and leaves are formed. 



(Iroirtli does not depend alone on the organic matter and 

 various substances dissolved in common water, for ycm can 

 grow the mustaril plant from the seed placed in distilled 

 water. If, however, the seed be completely immersed in 

 water it may die, but if placed in a thin layer of water only, 

 so that air also may reach it, the dry shell of i\w seed will 

 indtibe the moisture, and by keejiing it in a small shallow 

 sauci'r under a shade or tmubler for some days it will grow. 

 I do not say that you can grow (ini/ })lant for a long time in 

 distilKul water alone, for as growth proceeds, more nutrient 

 material than is contained already prepared for the seed, 

 will be requireil. 



