itself a snail-shaped, fairly firm
case, fastened by a slender girdle of silk to a piece of wood or other
support. Keep this over winter, and in March, or early April, the
black-and-blue-and-gold insect emerges.

Observe the movements of the wings in flight, the long tube with which
it sucks honey from flowers, the three pairs of legs, the position of
the wings when at rest; compare the structure with that of the larva.
Make drawings of the butterfly and paint its colours.

CHAPTER VII

FORM II

WINTER

CARE OF PLANTS IN THE HOME

The care of flowering bulbs, which was begun in Form I, will be
continued in Form II. The growing of new plants from cuttings will now
be taken up. In those schools which are kept continuously heated, potted
plants may be kept throughout the year. The pupils will come to
appreciate the plants' needs and learn how to meet them in the supply of
good soil, water, and sunlight. The following points should be observed:

1. Good potting soil can be made by building up alternating layers of
sods and stable manure and allowing this compost to stand until
thoroughly rotted. A little sharp sand mixed with this forms an
excellent soil for most house plants.

2. Thorough watering twice a week is better than adding a little water
every day.

3. The leaves should be showered with water once a week to free them
from dust.

4. An ounce of whale-oil soap dissolved in a quart of water may be used
to destroy plant-lice. Common soap-suds may also be used for this
purpose, but care should be taken to rinse the plants in clean water
after using a soap wash.

5. Most plants need some direct sunlight every day if possible, although
most of the ferns grow without it.

6. Plants usually need re-potting once a year. Many kinds may be set
out-of-doors in flower beds in May and left until September, when they
may be taken up and placed in pots, or cuttings may be made from them
for potting.

7. A flower exhibition at the school once or twice a year, or at a local
exhibition, adds to the interest.

8. The pupils should report to the teacher, from time to time, the
progress of their plants and make many drawings showing their
development.

TREES

In November or December make a study of Canadian evergreens, choosing
spruce, balsam, and cedar if available. The pupils should learn to
distinguish the different species by an examination of the leaves, buds,
arrangement of branches, bark, seeds,