128 MANUAI, OF NATURE STUDY. 



flowing in and destroying them. It also serves as a 

 protective covering against frost. When thorough- 

 ly dried off again, the first gust of wind sends the 

 seeds whirling into space, some falling into good 

 ground, where they are covered by drift, leaves, 

 etc., there to remain until the sun reaches high in 

 the heavens in springtime. Then what happens ? ^ 

 But most of the seeds are picked up by the birds, 

 or otherwise destroyed. Observe an ear of corn 

 with husks remaining. Corn has been known to 

 stand out all winter and endure extremely cold 

 weather, and yet at planting time in spring, be 

 chosen for the farmer's seed. How is the ear pro- 

 tected ? How does the ear usually hang ? Would 

 a farmer choose an ear that stands erect upon the 

 stalk? Why? Why is corn that has stood all 

 wiiiter in the shock not good seed ? 



Notice the covering of seeds. See (1) of this 

 course. Notice the oily nature of most seeds ; take 

 flax for an example. Unless seeds become soaked 

 with water, frost will have but little effect upon the 

 germ. Notice that cockle-burrs, thomapple, rag- 

 weed, and almost all other weeds keep a supply 

 of seed upon the stalk all winter, dropping 

 them in early spring when dry, windy weather 

 sets in. 



Of what advantage is that to the plant ? How 

 many have noticed sycamore balls persistent 



