220 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



absorbed above ground. The sugar, however, cannot be converted 

 into woody fibre until after the appearance of the true leaves; 

 hence all plants while in the seed leaf are very succulent. The 

 sugar, by losing some atoms of the elements of water, is converted 

 into woody fibre. Sugar is composed of carbon 12, oxygen 12, 

 hydrogen 12. It becomes woody fibre by losing four atoms of 

 oxygen and four of hydrogen. In the laboratory, nitric acid has 

 the effect to change starch to woody fibre; and since nitrogen exists 

 largely in the air, it is perhaps the effect of the nitrogen which 

 causes sugar to be converted into woody fibre, and it is well known 

 that the effect of dilute acid upon starch is to promote the forma- 

 tion of sugar, or rather glucose. 



These, therefore, are some of the more important processes in the 

 transformation and germination of the seed until it has reached the 

 surface of the earth, and put forth its true leaves. From this time 

 forth it enters a new existence, and must depend upon the condi- 

 tions present in the air and earth for its sustenance and growth. 

 If they are present, the plant increases, matures, becomes an herb, 

 a plant or a tree. If the proper conditions are not present it be- 

 comes enfeebled, lingers, and perhaps dies outright. It is the 

 province of the progressive farmer to supply these conditions, so 

 far as he may be able. Many of them are within his reach. He 

 can attend to the drainage of his land, so that the soil does not 

 become saturated with water, for when so saturated air cannot 

 enter, and without air the seed must perish. Without sufficient 

 heat the seed will not germinate. Drained soils are warmer than 

 undrained ones, and without being wet they are always moist. If 

 the soil does not contain water in a free state it will contain air. 

 This air is being constantly decomposed, and in the act of decom- 

 position it gives up its heat to the soil, and heat is one of the 

 necessary conditions of growth. 



This brings us to training as a means of development. This 

 may begin in all grafted fruits at the root. Whatever may be 

 thought as to the influence of the scion on the stock, this much is 

 probably certain. The top does produce a notable effect on the 

 root growth, and vice versa. Hence the necessity of grafting or 

 budding on stocks having a root growth similar to, or rather cor- 

 responding with the top. The pear grafted on the quince, unless 

 allowed to make root above the junction, is very short lived. Why? 



