664 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



and the tip of the stalk also grows; in most plants, the tip of the stems 

 is the only center of growth. The first two experiments suggested will 

 demonstrate this. When blown down by the wind, the comhas a wonder- 

 ful way of lifting itself, by inserting growing wedges in the lower sides of 

 the nodes. A corn-stalk blown down by the wind will often show this 

 wedge-shape at every joint, and the result will be an upward curve 

 of the whole stalk. Of course, this cannot be seen unless the stalk is 

 cut lengthwise through the center. Experiment 3 is suggested to 

 demonstrate this. 



During drought the com leaves check the transpiration of water by 

 rolling together lengthwise in tubes, thus offering less surface to the sun 

 and air. The farmer calls this the curling of the com, and it is always a 

 sign of lack of moisture. If a corn plant with leaves thus curled, be given 

 plenty of water, the leaves will soon straighten out again into their normal 

 shape. 



References: Com Plants, Sargent; Cornell Nature-Study Leaflets, 

 Vol. i; Elements of Agriculture, Warren; The First Book of Farming, 

 Goodrich; Agriculture, Jackson and Dougherty; Rural School Agricul- 

 ture, Hays; Columbia's Emblem, Houghton, Mifflin and Co. 



Corn in the shock. 



LESSON CLXIX 

 The Maize 

 Leading thought — The Indian com, or maize, is a plant of much beauty 

 and dignity. It has wonderful adaptations for the development of its 

 seed and for resisting its arch-enemy, the wind. 



Method — The study may begin in spring when the corn is planted, 

 giving the pupils the outline for observations to be filled out in their note- 



