134 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



dry have the children find the seeds. Rub the seeds out of 

 one panicle or flower head to determine the amount. How 

 many panicles does it take to produce a teaspoonful of 

 seeds ? 



Care 0} the Lawn. — Everyone likes to see a smooth, 

 velvety lawn. Encourage the children to suggest things to 

 do to keep their lawns beautiful. Remove sticks, dead 

 leaves, paper, and weeds. If there are bare spots they 

 should be raked and sown with fresh seeds early in the 

 spring. If the lawn is uneven it should be rolled. Mow- 

 ing should be done often enough to keep the grass close cut. 

 Evening is a better time to mow during hot weather than 

 morning. Why? In dry weather the grass should not 

 be cut too close. Why? There is danger of exposing 

 the roots to the sun. 



Suggestion. — A small bunch of flowering and fruiting 

 bluegrass ought to be put away for schoolroom observation. 



What are some of the enemies of the lawn ? The 

 children will suggest many. Dandelion, plaintain, mole, 

 grubworm, etc. 



DANDELION.— Fifth Grade 



Problem. — What characteristics has the dandelion that 

 make it a successful lawn weed ? 



The study should be taken up about the same time as 

 that of the bluegrass. Begin outdoor observation early 

 enough so that the children may see that the plant has 

 lived over winter. In sheltered places they will find that 

 some of the leaves have remained green during the cold 

 months. 



