Individual Exercises for the Summer Term 



Five studies follow, that, like those for the fall and spring 

 terms (pages 126 and 229 et seq.), are intended to be made 

 by the student working alone and at his own convenience. 

 Four of them call for weekly observations extending over 

 the entire term; but these are such observations as can be 

 made on walks for health and pleasure with no great 

 expenditure of time. 



Optional Study 11. A Grass Calendar 



The great grass family is one' with which we ought to be 

 acquainted, considering the importance of the role it plays. 

 It furnishes a principal part of the food supply of man and 

 beast. Of the thousands of species of grasses in the world, 

 we know a few as cereals (wheat, corn, oats, barley, etc.) , a 

 few as pasture grasses, a few as noxious weeds, and a few 

 as ornamental grasses. 



There are other grasses, relatives of those we cultivate, 

 growing wild in every locality. There are grasses for every 

 situation, wet or dry, in sun or in shade; and they are of 

 great diversity of form and habit, and of great beauty and 

 interest. 



The object of this study is to get on speaking terms with 

 a dozen or more of the local grasses, wild or cultivated, and 

 to observe their behavior through the summer season. 

 Growing patches of several kinds should be located near at 

 hand, where they may be visited at least once a week with- 

 out too great expenditure of time, and where they are most 

 likely to remain uncut. The list should include one or two 

 of the thin straggling grasses that grow in the thickets, and 

 one or two of the annual species that grow as weeds in fields 



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