18 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-EXPERIMENT STATION 
some walnut tree. Is the tree tall or short? Bark rough or smooth? 
Anything peculiar about the furrows in the bark? Are the branches 
near the ground? Are they large or small? Is the bark on the 
branches of same color as that on the trunk? Watch in the spring 
to see if there are any flowers on the walnut tree. Is the wood of the 
walnut tree good for anything? Where do you find the nuts on the 
walnut tree ? Do the nuts fall before the leaves ? Describe a walnut. 
Where is the real seed that grows to make another walnut tree? 
Take a few twigs indoors for observation. Look for tiny buds for 
next spring, leaf scars, and rings showing the year’s growth. Notice 
the kind of leaves the walnut has. If the black walnut is not in the 
neighborhood, then take some other nut tree. 
Seed germination .—With the coming of seeding time in the 
locality, whether for garden or farm crops, the attention of the 
children should be called to the planting of seeds. What is a seed ? 
What kinds are planted? Name all garden seeds that are usually 
planted at the close of the rainy season or the passing of the snow. 
Teach the necessary conditions to grow seed, if in soil, the soil must 
be warm, moist—not wet—sunshine and air. 
Radish seed .—Plant some in moist sand in a shallow box, keep 
moderately moist and warm, and dig up two or three from day to day 
to watch changes. Plant enough and have the box large enough so 
that several plants may make some growth. Or place seed between 
folds of damp cloth or blotting paper laid on a plate or saucer. Put 
in a warm place and watch the seed-leaves and rootlets put forth. 
As soon as the shell opens, note how the seed-leaves or cotyledons are 
folded. Describe all you see. What is the appearance of the root ? A 
further detailed study of the grown radish is left for an upper grade. 
The Pea .—Allow a quantity of peas to stand in water for a day. 
Compare a soaked pea with a dry one. How do they differ and what 
