Il8 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



other with their feelers as if this were their way of greeting 

 each other. In the fall you may find a great many ants 

 with wings. These are the queens and drones. The 

 workers never have any wings. 



TOMATO.— Third Grade 



Fall. — Purpose: To interest children in preparing 

 seeds for next spring's planting. 



Have the children visit the school or home garden and 

 select some of the smoothest, finest tomatoes they can find ; 

 just the kind they would like to have on their own plants 

 next summer. Cut these tomatoes in two crosswise, and 

 notice where the seeds are borne, and how they are ar- 

 ranged. Some of the fruit have many more seeds than 

 others. Have the children decide which kind they prefer. 

 The more seeds, the less room for the thick, juicy meat. 

 Remove the seeds and spread them out on a sheet of paper. 

 When dry place them in an envelope, label, and put away 

 for the winter. 



Spring. — The spring work with the tomato should begin 

 the latter part of March, or early in April. Have the 

 children bring into the schoolroom some good garden soil. 

 Put this into a shallow box and sow the seeds, covering 

 them lightly with not more than half an inch of soil. Have 

 the children decide where the box must be kept and what 

 care must be given to it. Let them decide that moisture 

 and warmth are essential, and light after the plants are up. 

 Watch for the first appearance of the plants. How long 

 did it take the seeds to sprout ? Compare with sweet pea 

 in this respect. How many leaves has the little plant? 



