WATER—AIR—HEAT. 9 
and the still evenings of autumn see the laden 
wagons carry them to the barn. 
Thus variously is the seed sown, and in these 
different and opposite circumstances does plant- 
life begin. 
Now, while it is true that these circumstances 
are all very different from one another, it is also 
true that, if we take a little pains to think over 
them, the differences will not appear as great 
as they now do. What we require to know is, 
what is requisite, as far as outward influences 
are concerned, to start life in the seed. In all 
the examples mentioned the essential conditions 
exist, but are greatly modified: nevertheless 
they exist, and by virtue of their presence the 
seed begins to live. 
These conditions are very simple and easy to 
be understood; and, as they are only three in 
number, they deserve to be remembered. They 
are :—first, a sufficiency of moisture; second, 
a sufficiency of air; and third, a sufficiency of 
heat. Thus Water, Air, and Heat, are abso- 
lutely necessary to a seed before it can begin to 
live. And if the reader will glance back over the 
various examples of seed-sowing we have enu- 
