Stretching far away to the east was flat, level land, which father called a plain.  Scattered here and there were many farmhouses and quiet villages.  Little bright, sparkling streams wound their way like silver threads through the green grass of the meadows.  It was a lovely scene indeed!

The sun was already low in the west as we made ready to return.  As it set—­

  A wonderful glory of color,
    A splendor of shifting light—­
  Orange and scarlet and purple
    Flamed in the sky so bright.

LESSON XXVIII.

SPRING.

  Drops of rain and bits of sunshine
    Falling here and gleaming there,
  Tiny blades of grass appearing. 
    Tell of springtime bright and fair.

  Budding leaves are gently swaying,
    Merry glad notes sweetly ring;
  Robins, bluebirds, gayly singing,
    Tell of happy, pleasant spring.

  Violets, in blue and purple,
    By the twinkling water clear;
  Fair spring beauties, frail and dainty,
    Tell the story, spring is here.

  Cherry, peach, and apple blossoms
    Scattering fragrance far and wide;
  Buttercups and pure white snowdrops
    Tell of gracious, sweet springtide.

Lillian Cox.

LESSON XXIX.

USEFUL VEGETABLES.

In the heart of a seed buried deep, so deep, A dear little plant lay fast asleep.  “Wake!” said the sunshine, “and creep to the light.”

“Wake!” said the voice of the raindrops bright.

The little plant heard, and it rose to see

What the wonderful outside world might be.

[Illustration:  A SPROUT.]

What vegetables grow in your neighborhood?

[Illustration:  A VINE BEGINNING TO GROW.]

Of which do we use the roots as food?  Of which the leaves?  Of which the seeds?  Of which the stems or stalks?

Which is the most useful garden vegetable?  There is no common garden vegetable so highly thought of as the potato.  How are potatoes planted?

Answer the questions in writing so as to make a little composition about vegetables.

LESSON XXX.

USEFUL GRAINS.

Wheat and corn are called grain because they are small, hard seeds What other kinds of grain can you name?

[Illustration; RIPE WHEAT.]

Which of these grains is used the most?  Which makes the choicest flour?

Some kinds of wheat are sown in the spring.  These are called spring wheat.

Winter wheat is sown in the fall.  A few days of sun and rain, and the plants spring up like grass, remaining green through the winter.

What color does the wheat turn as it ripens?  When it is ripe what is done with it?

For what is the flour of wheat used?