AGRICULTURAL NATURE STUDY OUTLINES 
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has caused the change? Place a few dry ones in moist soil and see 
what would happen. Remove covering from soaked seed. This is seed 
coat. Note two thick pieces called cotyledons. What holds the 
cotyledons together? Discuss conditions necessary to grow garden 
peas successfully. Encourage each child to prepare a small bed at 
home and plant some peas. Discuss value of peas as food. A lesson 
on the sweet peas may be given in connection with the study of 
common peas. Teach the soil conditions best for growth of sweet peas. 
If possible, plant some on the school ground. Each child should be 
encouraged to grow some at home. 
The Autumn Festival. —Before school closes for the year discuss 
plans for the coming school fair. Get the cooperation of the parents 
during the summer vacation. Appoint the necessary committees. 
Urge each child and adult to exhibit the best specimens of whatever 
they have grown. 
3. Animal Life throughout the Year 
Insect life .—What butterflies are seen during the first two weeks 
of school. How do insects get ready for winter ? Have children watch 
for catterpillars. Give all items of interest about them. How many 
feet? Color of head? How do they eat? AVhat is their food? Put 
some in a pasteboard box and feed them. Watch for cocoons. Cut 
open one cocoon. What is on the inside? AVhat insects are busy at 
work in the garden? AVatch for spiders. Find a spider’s web and 
report about it. AVhat insects appear first in the spring? AVhere 
found ? AVhat ones are destructive to fruit orchards ? How are they 
removed? Have pupils see the difference between a biting insect and 
a sucking insect. Methods of control with reference to manner of 
getting food. 
Bird life .—What birds remain all the year? AVhat birds destroy 
insects and worms on trees? How many have seen a woodpecker? 
