24 



NATURE STUDY 



rich mellow earth and to 

 be kept properly watered, 

 and in a warm place, but 

 have the pupils do all the 

 work of preparation, 

 planting and care of the 

 boxes. It will be of great 

 advantage to have a large 

 number of the forms 

 planted you expect to 

 work most with, such as 

 squash, beau and corn. 

 The seeds planted in 

 boxes will give ample 

 means for observing how 

 the seed starts to grow, 

 how it gets out of the 

 seed leaves, and how the 

 stem and leaves develop 

 from these. 



But to see the equally 

 interesting and instruc- 

 tive development of the 

 root with its branches, 

 root hairs and root cap, 

 some other method of 

 planting is necessary, 

 since digging up the root 

 destroys some of the very things necessary to be seen. For study 

 of the growth of the root, plant a few seeds in earth confined be- 

 tween two sheets of glass about seven by eight inches, or larger. 

 The sheets of glass are kept apart by thin strips of wood, as thict 

 as a lead pencil, and are clamped together by pieces of beni 

 tin or tied with strings. The sheets of glass might also be held 



"ig. 9. Seeds grown on neLtingjust touchiug water 

 in the jar, sh^jwiug root, ruot-hairs and root cap. 



