ANNUAL MEETING. 157 



Let us look at an acorn. It is surrounded by at least two coverinjrs, a lirm, 

 glossy coat, lined by one thinner and more delicate. On one end is a scar 

 where it was attached to tlie cup; at tiie other is a blunt and abrupt point. 



On opening the coverings we lind usually one, sotnetiines two embryos. The 

 embryo mainly consists of two hcmisplieres placed with the flat sides next to 

 each other, much as is the case with peas or beans. At the pointed end, and 

 sunken within it, is a round point called the nidicle. Tliis is destined to pro- 

 duce from the tip a root, or descending axis. Opposite this radicle, and 

 between the hemispheres of the seed is a small bud, the plumule, which is 

 destined to push upward and become the ascending axis, bearing the branches, 

 leaves, flowers, and fruit. 



The seeds of most trees and other plants remain dormant during autumn 

 and winter, but if the circumstances are favorable, the acorn of a white oak 

 is more enterprising. With moisture on the ground it begins to swell, and 

 cracks open at the pointed end. The ends of the hemispheres, called cotyle- 

 dons or seed leaves, each pushes out a short stem, carrying with it the radicle 

 and plumule. The acorn does not send up at once, in autumn, a green stem 

 and leaves to perish in winter, but is more discreet. It sends a tap root with 

 branches several inches into the ground and perfects a stout terminal bud, then 

 securely waits for the rains and warm sunshine of spring. 



How different the early growth of a pumpkin or bean or morning glory. 

 They send out a few fine roots and at once put forth their leaves and branches. 

 There is no need of careful preparation for hardships. True to its nature, 

 the sturdy oak begins at the root of the matter to lay a good foundation. 

 The mother tree, before casting off her progeny into the world, did not fail to 

 give it a little out-fit in the form of starch for food stored up in the thick seed 

 leaves. As the young chicks feed upon the yolk of the egg, so the young oak 

 subsists on the starch stored up in the cotyledons. The starch to the plant 

 takes the place of milk to the colt, calf, or pig. 



To fully understand how the young plant grows, or the older plant either, 

 requires a better knowledge of chemistry than I can presume is possessed by 

 the majority of my hearers. 



The starch is insoluble in water and cannot be used till it is transformed 

 into a nearly related substance which is soluble. Air, heat, and moisture, are 

 required to start the young acorn. To change this starch into available plant 

 food and convey it to the proper place where it is needed, and leave it in the 

 right shape and condition to develop the plant, requires some loss or use of 

 force. 



As the water ram needs some water to move it to enable it to send some of 

 the water higher, so the young oak throws away, if we may use the expression, 

 some of its substance to enable it to elevate the remainder into roots and 

 terminal bud. 



Those who are so inclined, and have some knowledge of chemistry, can 

 notice some of the chemistry of growtli as presented on this chart. 



The trees of Michigan all produce seeds which have two or more cotyledons 

 or seed leaves. 



The acorn possesses a little plant in its simplest form. As Professor Tracy 

 puts it: "A seed is a young plant packed ready for transportation." This 

 little plant has no roots, but it has a stem, a terminal bud, and leaves. This 

 is an oak which becomes more and more complex as it grows older. 



A plant is composed of roots, stems, and leaves, in some form or other. Of 

 these three, roots are the simplest in structure. 



