18 THE GARDEN OF EARTH 



But we do not want to hear about " heaps." We 

 want to have all the different parts of a plant brought 

 under the smallest number of heads ; under four heads. 

 The four chief parts of a plant are — 



The Root; 

 The Stem; 

 The Leaves; 

 The Flowers. 



And under these four headings the w^hole plant is 

 embraced. 



First, as to the Root. This is not commonly pretty, 

 though most useful and necessary. It burrows into the 

 earth, branching out generally in divers directions. It 

 does the work of an anchor, holding the plant firmly in 

 its place, and keeping it from being blown away by 

 gusts of wdnd. It drinks in water from the soil, to 

 support the life of the plant, and to keep it in good 

 health. Water and food, I might say. But all food 

 taken by a plant has to be liquid, or else in the form of 

 gas. Plants in general cannot, like men, eat anything 

 solid. 



Then secondly, the Stem. In smaller plants it is 

 usually green. It acts as a backbone to the whole; 

 or rather as a body, like the body of a man. It is the 

 pathway by which all the water and liquid food, taken 

 in by the roots, travel upward and pass into the branches, 

 and thence into the leaves. In most cases the main 

 stem sends out branches or lesser stems to right and 

 left. 



Thirdly, the Leaves. These are all-important. If 

 you were to do away with the leaves, you would soon 



