122 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



peas to see if any insects visit them. What are the bees 

 and flies doing? 



Do not try to force the study of pollination here. It 

 is enough for these children to see that the insects are 

 getting something to eat out of the flowers. 



Experiments. — No seeds are better than sweet peas for 

 making some simple experiments in germination. If the 

 peas grow and work we shall try to find out under what 

 conditions they can do their work best. 



Plant a few in dry soil; others in moist soil. 



Moisten some blotting paper, put it in a tin cup, then 

 place on it three or four seeds that have been soaked in 

 water for twenty-four hours. Cover the cup so that no 

 light can reach the peas and keep warm and moist. 



Place the same number in a glass with other conditions 

 exactly the same. From these the children will see that 

 the seeds germinate just as well in the dark as in the light, 

 but that they will not grow without moisture. In the same 

 way show that moisture and warmth are necessary for 

 germination. 



Have the children select some of the most beautiful 

 flowers and allow these to mature their seeds. Keep these 

 as choice seeds for next year's planting. 



Suggestion. — Sweet peas may be successfully grown in 

 window boxes in the schoolroom. 



ENGLISH SPARROW.— Third Grade 



No time is better for the study of the English sparrow 

 than the winter. 



Problem. — How does the sparrow care for itself during 

 the winter months? 



