THE WORK OF FLOWERS 125 



prepare it; and the finished sap has to make its way 

 through cells and channels to every part, that the tiny 

 beginnings of seeds may get their full share. And at 

 the end of the summer the plant dies, quite worn out. 

 But the seeds remain alive, ready for the next spring. 



Two-year plants manage differently. In their first 

 season they grow roots and short stems and leaves, but 

 no flowers. They are indeed much too busy, laying in 

 stores, to have any leisure for flowering. Thus far, their 

 work is one of preparation. They are gathering together 

 a supply of nutriment, ready for use in the year follow- 

 ing ; food for the flowers, food for the seeds. 



With some plants much of this food is piled together 

 in the roots, as with a Radish ; the long red root of which 

 we all know so well. But the plant did not mean it for 

 you ! It meant that nice little reserve-store for its own 

 use next year — if we may say that a plant in any sense 

 " means " anything — and you have spoilt those plans, 

 by stealing the deposit. 



When nobody interferes and the plant is left to its 

 own devices, it goes on with its preparations through the 

 first summer. And when the following spring arrives, 

 it begins to bud and flower. Then the root slowly shrinks 

 and gets thinner, as its carefully husbanded provision is 

 used for present needs. 



With many plants the bulb may be said to take the 

 place of a seed ; as in the case of Crocus bulbs, Snowdrop 

 bulbs. Hyacinth bulbs and others, which begin life with 

 only one small seed-leaf. These bulbs also are packed 

 full of hidden provender, enclosing the little bud from 

 which the new plant will spring. And as the young plant 



