30 



THE WHEAT CULTURIST. 



capsules, similar to the magnified spongiole represented 

 by Fig. 5. 



The grand practical point for farmers to consider is 

 this : the capsules at the ends of the roots are thrust 

 through the soil like the point of a plough ; and the roots 

 are formed behind them. This teaches us the eminent 

 importance of assisting nature, by preparing a mellow 

 seed-bed, through which the roots may spread with little 

 difficulty. 



The Stem, or Plumule. 



The illustration herewith given represents the ex- 

 tremity of the stem of wheat, highly magnified, as the 

 end appears when the wheat is coming up. Although 

 this illustration resembles a stack of hay or straw, it 

 exhibits the free capsule of cells and epidermic plasm 

 which are so nearly identical with those of the roots of 

 the same growing wheat plant. 



As soon as the plumule 

 has forced its way through 

 the soil, and appeared 

 above the surface of the 

 ground an inch or more 

 — J. H. Klippart in his 

 Wheat Plant states — that 

 the stem gives birth to the 

 first true leaves, as seen 

 in Fig. 8 on a succeeding 

 3| j page, while the central bud 

 r£ is destined to become the 

 future stalk. There can be 

 fig. e.-End of the plumule. n0 reasonable doubt that 



the cellular envelop, A, B, performs a similar function 



