WILD FLOWERS
Arrange an excursion to the woods when the spring flowers are in bloom. Keep a flower calendar, showing:
1. The date when a plant was first found in bloom
2. The name of the plant
3. Place where found
4. Name of the pupil who found it.
When in the woods discuss the following points:
1. Why these wild flowers come into bloom so early in spring. They have a large supply of food stored up from the previous summer.
2. Dig down with a trowel or heavy knife and find this storehouse of food. It may be in the form of bulb, corm, or rhizome.
3. The blooming of the spring flowers in the woods before the leaves of the trees reach their full development, thus taking advantage of the sunlight.
4. Mark a few clumps or individual plants and visit them again after a month. Look for the growing fruit with its seeds.
5. The leaves of the hepatica seen at the time when the blossoms appear are leaves which grew the previous season. Dig up a plant and notice the new leaves starting.
6. The kind of soil each seems to grow best in and the amount of light it receives.
7. Have the pupils examine the flowers and leave them growing. They should gather a few for the school-room.
8. Have the pupils write a short account of their visit to the woods. Have them make drawings of the different flowers collected.
Dig up a few specimens of wild flowers and transplant in a shady corner in the grounds or school garden. The following varieties are suggested for special observation and study: hepatica, violet, anemone, columbine, Indian turnip, marsh marigold.
Teach one or two lessons on wild flowers, similar to the lessons illustrated for the nasturtium.