ch each can gather. The
teacher should show them how to arrange a few flowers in a neat bouquet
and emphasize the fact that a great mass of blossoms crushed closely
together is far from being artistic or ornamental. Pupils should then be
encouraged to make up pretty bouquets for the teacher's desk, for the
home dining-room, and for old or invalid people who love
flowers--especially those plucked by the hands of thoughtful children.

RECOGNITION OF WILD FLOWERS

The pupils should learn to recognize each year a few species of wild
flowers by name as well as by sight. This may be accomplished in two
ways, (1) by means of excursions to the woods a few times each year
during the spring and summer months, and (2) by having occasional
observation lessons in the school-room based upon the flowers gathered
for the school-room bouquets. Both methods are to be recommended, but it
must be borne in mind that a wilted, lacerated flower has no interest
for a little child.

LESSON IN OUTLINE

BLOODROOT

Plants are always most interesting when studied in their natural
environment, and this is one reason why the school excursion deserves
the highest commendation as a method of studying wild flowers. When
studying wild flowers out-of-doors, the pupils should notice what seems
to be the favourite or usual location for the particular species under
consideration.

Have the pupils observe the following about the bloodroot:

It seems to prefer fairly dry, rich soil, on or near a hillside. It
opens its beautiful white blossoms early in the spring, as if to enjoy
the bright sunshine before the trees put out their thick coat of leaves
to shade it. It, like many another early spring flower, comes into bloom
so early in the spring because it got ready the summer before. The
teacher should carefully dig up a specimen--root and all--as young
pupils cannot be depended on to get up all of the underground part. Note
the large amount of plant food stored up in the underground stem, how
the flower was protected before it opened out, and what becomes of the
protection. Note the peculiar beauty of the snow-white blossoms with
their yellow centres, and how beautiful they look as they nestle amongst
the handsome green leaves with their pinkish-tinted stems. Wound the
root, and notice the reddish, bloodlike juice whence the plant derives
its name. Indians sometimes use this juice for war-paint, and some
mothers give it to their children on sugar as a