THE WHEAT CULTUKIST. 31 



to the capsules of the roots, Fig. 4. In other words, 

 the material in the envelop exerts a chemical influence 

 on the soil which lies immediately above it, rendering 

 the earth more yielding and pliable, so much so that 

 the tender plumule can come up into the sunlight and 

 air with little difficulty. 



The plumule is of great importance to the existence 

 of the wheat plant. By its existence we may readily 

 demonstrate how dependent each organ of a plant is on 

 the other, and how harmoniously every part performs 

 its destined function in sublime silence. If the heart, 

 or plumule, of the young wheat plant be pulled out 

 from between the leaves, it will not be replaced by a 

 new one. Yet, if the kernel or plant be not too much 

 exhausted by a luxuriant growth, a new plumule will 

 appear from the grain, or main root, directly below the 

 surface of the soil. 



The first effort of the growing plant toward more 

 perfect development is to form a joint, or knot, im- 

 mediately beneath the surface of the soil, and another 

 a little above the surface. The upper one of these 

 joints is the true commencement of the stalk. The 

 joint beneath the surface marks the place from whence 

 the coronal roots emanate, as has been already stated on 

 a preceding page. These coronal roots are the chief 

 laboratory for the preparation and distribution of the 

 future nourishment of the growing plants. 



The Action of Roots and Spongioles. 



" There is no subject connected with vegetable physi- 

 ology which more nearly concerns the practical cultivator, 

 as well as the man of science, than the precise nature 



