124 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 
you should observe. It is a good practice to make a drawing of the 
leaf of each species. 
Note the size and the general form of the plant. Quite likely most 
of the specimens you see are but partially grown, and you must try to 
{earn what is the greatest height that the species ordinarily attains. 
Refer to the typical forms of trees and shrubs shown under the head 
of “Stems” in Chapter VI. 
Find persons who are versed in this subject and get them to help 
-you. You will find that everybody who knows and loves trees is glad 
to introduce them to his friends. 
3. A collection of leaves. — Make a collection of the leaves of all 
kinds of trees, shrubs, and vines studied, as in the preceding project. 
Dry and press them between blotting papers; then fasten them to 
sheets of heavy paper and write their names by them. Use plenty of 
paper; usually only one leaf should be mounted on a sheet, with the 
name on the lower right-hand corner. The mounting papers should 
be of uniform size. Such a collection will be interesting and instructive 
to you and to your friends who may see it ; and it would be very valuable 
to have in your school. 
For AUTUMN 
4. When the foliage develops beautiful autumn tints, take note of 
the characteristics of each tree, shrub, and vine, and make a list of those 
whose leaves turn red and of those that turn yellow. Does frost seem 
to be a necessary cause of these autumn tints, or do they often develop 
before the frosts come? 
For WINTER 
In the winter we may study the condition of trees with reference to 
branches, leaves, flowers, and fruit, noting the winter buds and com- 
paring their form, position, and arrangement. This work is considered 
very profitable, but it is hard for the beginner in nature study to “see 
much to it.” The bare branches of trees and shrubs in winter are not 
so attractive and promising as a bed of flowers or a flock of birds in 
summer. When we come to investigate, however, we find that these 
- bare branches are not only full of promise, but that they have made all 
necessary arrangements to redeem those promises. 
