EXEECISES FOE SOUTHERN RURAL SCHOOLS. 59 



Assigned work. — The strawberry is one of the most interesting and 

 delightful of the small fruits. Use the following outline as a guide in 

 studying the strawberry plant and fruit: 



(1) How should strawberries be planted— in rows? How far apart should rows 



be? How far apart should plants stand in the row? Is April a good time 

 to plant strawberries? 



(2) From what do strawberry plants grow — seeds, runnel's? 



(3) Examine a strawberry plant in the class. What kind of root — fleshy, 



branching? Color of the root? How are the leaves arranged? How 

 many leaflets in each group? 



(4) Examine a strawberry blossom. How many parts are there to the hull or 



calyx? How many parts are there to the blossom? Is there a green 

 button in the center of the blossom? Are the blossoms found in clusters? 

 Do they all open at the same time? What parts of the flower fall away 

 and what parts remain? What insects visit strawberry blossoms? In 

 what way are they helpful? 



(5) Examine several ripe strawberries. Are they all the same shape and color? 



What are the specks on the surface of the berry — seed? Is the berry the 

 same color on the surface as it is within? How many kinds of straw- 

 berries are grown in the community? Name them. 



Practical work. — Gather data with reference to orchard and forest 

 trees. Bring to school strawberry plants, blossoms, and fruit for 

 class study. Let the members of this class also join in the early 

 spring vegetable show. 



Correlations. — Language: Have the pupils write a description of a 

 strawberry plant, including the blossom and fruit. 



Drawing: Make drawings with proper colorings of strawberry 

 leaves, flowers, and fruit, both green and ripe. 



Arithmetic: Develop problems involving the number of strawberry 

 plants, the yield, and the value of yield from a given area. 



Continued viork. — Continue the studies as previously suggested with 

 the special group of birds. Are they seen in pairs ? Arc they pre- 

 paring to build nests ? Note particularly the locations at which they 

 are most commonly seen. What do such locations afford as to 

 natural protection ? Food supply ? Nesting places ? 



Review the lesson on mosquitoes. 



Assigned work. — The 12-spotted cucumber beetle is the parent 

 of the southern rootworm or budworm of corn. This beetle may be 

 found most everywhere at this time. It is recognized by 12 black 

 spots on a yellowish-green background. Have the pupils collect 

 specimens of these in small glass bottles and bring them to school 

 for s1 udy. 



During the months of April and May the pupils should make a, 

 large collection of insects. Mount and label these according to 

 instructions found in Farmers' Uul. 606. Those insects which the 



