6 



THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



in cultivation, harvesting, and manufacture, which 

 will be discussed in later chapters. 



The Roots. 

 The roots are the 

 underground part 

 of the plant. As 

 the wheat kernel 

 germinates it 

 sends out a root 

 from its lower 

 end ; this is soon 

 followed by two 

 others ; and these 

 first three are 

 called temporary 

 roots , because 

 they serve the 

 plant for but a 

 short time. After 

 the stem has 

 pushed above 

 ground the per- 

 manent roots de- 

 velop. These 

 grow in whorls 

 from joints on the 

 stem a little be- 

 low the surface of the soil. They grow outward 

 to varying distances from the stem, and then turn 



FIG. 3. Wheat plants. Note roots, stalks, 

 leave ., and spikes. Several stems may, because of 

 tillering, grow from one seed. 



