300 DOMESTICATED’ ANIMALS AND PLANTS 
ago, to the great alarm of everybody, and nothing seemed able 
to stop it; but in a very few years it subsided, apparently of its 
own accord, and within a few more was practically extinct. 
Others ‘“‘come and go”’ with the seasons, just as white clover 
is abundant in a wet season and then unnoticed perhaps for 
many years. It is still there, but is inconspicuous until condi- 
tions become peculiarly favorable. Still others are always with 
us, always a menace to the valuable cultivated crops, always 
ready to rob the land of its fertility and its moisture, and the 
farmer of his profits. 
Exercises. 1. Make a list of wild plants in the neighborhood that are 
related to domesticated species. 
2. Discuss the question whether any wild plants of the neighborhood 
could be made of economic use to man. 
3. Make a herbarium of leguminous plants, taking care to preserve the 
flowers, the fruits, and the tubercles. These latter are difficult to secure. 
If the plant is pulled up, they will be stripped off. The plant should be 
carefully lifted out with a spade, and the earth should be removed by gentle 
shaking and then washing in a generous quantity of water. 
4. Secure a small plat or field near the schoolhouse on which to raise 
different varieties for study and comparison. 
5. Compare the pistils and the pollen-bearing parts of corn with those of 
Kafir corn, clover, beans, and alfalfa. 
6. Raise some hemp, in order to note the difference between the “ male” 
and the “female” plants. If hops are grown in the neighborhood, note 
same with them. 
7. Write the story of the domestication of the American grape. For data 
see “ Evolution of our Native Fruits,” by Bailey. 
8. What wild plants in your neighborhood might, in your judgment, make 
valuable plants in cultivation ? 
References. 1. “ Origin of Cultivated Plants” (from which the data of 
this chapter are largely taken). De Candolle. 
2. “ Animals and Plants under Domestication ” (Vol. I, chaps. ix and x). 
Darwin. 
3. “ Evolution of our Native Fruits.” Bailey. 
4. A good collection of seedsmen’s catalogues, which is the best guide 
to new things. 
