Cultivated-Plant Study 659 



Method — The plant may be brought into the schoolroom while in blos- 

 som, and its form be studied there. Observations as to the fertilization of 

 the flowers should be made out-of-doors. 



Observations — i. Where does the white clover grow? Why is it so 

 valuable in lawns? 



2. Note carefully the clover leaf, the shape of the three leaflets, stems, 

 and edges. Is part of the leaflet Ughter colored than the rest? If so, 

 describe the shape. Are the leaflets unequal or equal in size? Does each 

 leaf come directly from the root? Are they alternately arranged? Why 

 do they seem to come from the upper side of the stem? 



3. Note the behavior of the clover leaves at night. How do the two 

 side leaflets act ? The central leaflet ? Do you think that this is because 

 the plant is sleepy? 



4. Take a white clover head, and note that it is made up of many 

 little flowers. How many? Study one of the little flowers with a lens. 

 Can you see its calyx? Its petals? Its stem ? In what way is it similar 

 to the blossom of the sweet pea? 



5. Take a head of white clover which has not yet blossomed. Tie a 

 string about its stem so that you may be sure you are observing the same 

 flower and make the following observations during several days : Which 

 blossoms begin to open first — those outside or inside? How many buds 

 open each day? What happens to the blossoms as they fade? Of what 

 use is this to the plant? How many days pass from the time the flowers 

 begin to blossom until the last flower at the center opens? 



6. What insects do you see working on the white clover blossoms? 

 How does the bee act when collecting nectar? Can you see where she 

 thrusts her tongue? What does the bee do for the clover blossom? What 

 sort of honey does the white clover give to the bee? 



7. Tie little bags of cheesecloth over two or three heads of white 

 clover and see if they produce any seed. 



"Little flower; but if I could understand 

 What you are, root and all, and all in ail, 

 I should know what God and man is." 



— Tennyson. 



"To me the meanest flower that blows, can give 

 Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears." 



— Wordsworth. 



"/ know a place where the sun is like gold. 

 And the cherry blooms burst with snow. 

 And down underneath is the loveliest nook 

 Where the four leaf clovers grow." 



— Ella Higginson. 



