PLANT SCIENCE
- Explain the nature and function of the soil. Tell about its texture,
structure, need for water, air, organic matter, and the relationship of
plants to the soil. Tell how the soil may be improved. Select one soil type
from your area. Describe it in relation to the above.
- Describe how to prepare a seedbed for each of the crops in the options
below. Submit a plan for planting an orchard crop. Describe the best type of
site for such an orchard.
- Make and use a germination seed tester to test 50 seeds of FOUR of the
following plants: corn, cotton, alfalfa, soybeans, clover, wheat, rice, rye,
barley. Determine percent of live seeds.
- Tell how to propagate plants by seeds, roots, cuttings, tubers, buds,
and grafts.
- Tell about one important insect pest and one important disease that
damage each of the following: corn, small grains, cotton, and fruit trees.
Collect and name five weeds that damage crops in your locality. Tell how to
control these without harming people, wildlife, or useful insects.
- On a map of the United States indicate the chief regions where the
crops listed in the options are produced. Indicate a leading state in
production of each crop. Tell how climate and location of these states makes
them leaders.
- Tell about three career opportunities in crop production.
-
Complete ONE of the following options:
Corn Option
- Grow a plot of corn. Record seed variety or experimental code
number.
- Have your plot inspected by your counselor. Tell about modern
methods of commercial corn farming.
- Tell about the contributions corn makes to today's food supply.
Cotton Option
- Grow a plot of cotton.
- Have your plot inspected by your counselor. Tell about modern
methods of commercial cotton farming.
- Tell about an insect that causes serious damage. Tell how it
affects cotton production. Tell how it is controlled.
- Tell how cotton is processed from the field to the finished
product.
Forage Crops Option
- Collect and mount for display three samples of each: perennial
grasses, annual grasses, legumes, and broadleaf weeds. Label each grass
and legume, indicating what use is made of it. Label each weed. Tell
where each is most likely to be found.
- Explain how legumes can be used to enrich the soil. Tell how they
may deplete it under certain conditions. Do the same for grasses.
- Describe five poisonous plants dangerous to livestock.
- Tell the different ways for using forage crops as feed for
livestock.
Fruit and Nuts Option
- Plant five fruit or nut trees, grapevines, or berry plants.
- Take full care of fruit or nut trees, grapevines, or berry plants
through one crop season.
- Prune a tree, vine, or bush properly. Explain why pruning is
necessary.
- Demonstrate how a graft is made.
- Describe how one fruit, nut, or berry crop is processed for use.
Small Grains Option
- Give production figures for the small-grain crops listed in the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Statistics for the latest
year available.
- Help in harvesting a crop of grain. Tell how to reduce harvesting
losses.
- Visit a grain elevator, flour mill, cereal plant, feed or seed
company. Talk with the operator. Take notes. Describe the processes
used.
Oil Crops Option
- Grow a plot of soybeans.
- Have your plot inspected by your counselor.
- Tell about modern methods of soybean growing on a commercial scale.
- Tell of the contributions soybeans make to our food supply.
BSA Advancement ID#: 85
Source: Boy Scout Requirements, #33215E, revised 2002
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