CHAPTER II 
LIFE OF A PLANT 
“We cannot pass a blade of grass unheeded by the 
way, 
For it whispers to our thoughts and we its silent 
voice obey. —J. E. Carpenter 
HE growth and development of a plant, 
= i though such a common thing, is full of 
very real wonder and mystery. It takes only 
a little observation to discover the various stages 
in the process, but how they are brought about 
and by what laws they are governed, not even 
the most astute investigators can always say. 
To the lay mind, the statement that the plants 
depend upon the soil for their nourishment is 
quite self-evident, yet it is extremely inaccu- 
rate. It is now quite certain that the vegetable 
world relies upon the air for its largest and most 
important food supply. The great mass of 
carbon which is the chief constituent of all plant 
structure is drawn almost exclusively from the 
atmosphere. While it is true that many vital 
elements are obtained from the earth, all green 
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