302 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



which was four feet wide, fifty feet long, and about six inches iu depth. Here, 

 under the fostering care of Prof. Maynard, the seeds germinated, the vine grew 

 vigorously, and the squash lifted in a most satisfactory manner. 



Never before has the development of a squash been observed more critically, 

 or by a greater number of people. Many thousands of men, women, and chil- 

 dren, from all classes of society and of various nationalities and from all quar- 

 ters of the earth, visited it. Mr. D. P. Penhallow watched with it several days 

 and nights, making hourly observations. Prof. H. W. Parker was moved to 

 write a poem about it, and Prof. J. H. Seelye declared that he positively stood 

 in awe of it. 



VEGETABLE GROWTH. 



consists in the development of the several parts of a plant, according to a 

 definite, predetermined plan as regards the form, size, and other characteristics 

 of each species. It results from the activity of a certain peculiar inherent 

 force called life. Under the influence of this force, stimulated to action by 

 heat and light, plants absorb, digest, and assimilate mineral matter, converting 

 it into the various organic substances which enter into their composition. 

 Examined under the microscope, all parts of plants are found to exist prima- 

 rily of closed cells, cohering into masses of various forms, and containing 

 protoplasm. 



GROWTH 



is caused by the increase of cells in number and in size. In a growing portion 

 of a plant, as at the tip of the stem, the first formed cslls are subdivided, and 

 then the subdivisions enlarge to the normal size, and this process goes on while 

 growth continues. All vegetable material is primarily formed in the leaves or 

 green parts of ordinary plants, and, by a vital process of circulation, is trans- 

 ferred in a liquid form to its proper destination. 



THE SEED 



is a minute plant, consisting of a radical or little root, a terminal bud called the 

 plumule, and one or more seed-leaves, all snngly packed away in a shell for 

 safe keeping during transportation. In order that the sprouting plantlet may 

 be able to get hold of the earth for its water and mineral supplies, and have 

 substance enough to reach up into the light and air where it is to find its 

 future carbon, the seed-leaves, or cotyledons, are formed of very condensed and 

 complex materials, — such as oil, sugar, starch, and albuminoids. The requi- 

 site conditions of germination for a sound, living seed, are air, water, and 

 a moderate degree of heat. The time intervening between the planting of a 

 seed and the appearance of the root varies from a few hours to many months. 

 It may be hastened in some cases by scalding the seed for a few minutes in hot 

 water, or by the judicious use of a solution of camphor, sal-ammoniac, or ox- 

 alic acid. The cotyledons of the squash seed are pushed up into the air, wh6re 

 they expand and thicken, assume a green color, and for a time perform the 

 functions of true leaves. 



THE EOOT 



is the first part of a plant to grow, and develops downward, as if aft'ected by the 

 force of gravity. Light neither hurts nor helps the root, but water is essential 

 to its life, and for this it penetrates the soil in every direction. It is the 

 special function of the root to absorb and furnish to the rest of the plant, 



