ONION 107 



one of these small bulbs is set out, it will grow large and then 

 will split itself up into smaller ones as the hrst onion did. 



Lily Bulb. — A lily blossoms and bears seed. On the sides 

 of the stalks of one kind, the tiger lily, are small black 

 bulbs like the bulbs on top onions. But lilies commonly grow 

 from underground bulbs like multiplier onions. Each lily 

 bulb is like an onion. In its center it contains leaves and 

 blossom buds. Early in the season the leaves spring up and 

 the blossoms open, and then the tops may die ; but growth still 

 goes on, for the plants spend the rest of the summer in form- 

 ing new bulbs and in storing them full of food for next 3^ear's 

 growth. Thus a lily is sure of making a good growth for at 

 least another year. 



Get a Chinese lily and place it on some stones in a dish of 

 water. In about a month it will produce as large leaves and 

 blossoms as if it had been planted in the soil. Where does it 

 get its plant food ? Will new lilies grow from it next year ? 

 Each bulb has enough food stored away to form full-grown 

 leaves and blossoms, but not enough to form new bulbs unless 

 it gets new plant food from the soil. 



Hyacinths. — Hyacinths are among the common flowering 

 bulbs that are easily and quickly raised. Set out some hya- 

 cinth bulbs in flowerpots and watch them as they unfold their 

 leaves and blossoms. 



How many kinds of bulbs do you know ? 



Bulblike Parts of Plants. — A potato is not a bulb, but is the 

 thickened part of an underground branch. Its "eyes" are 

 buds. Put a potato in a shallow dish of water in a sunny 

 window ; it will turn green like any other branch, and its eyes 

 will put forth leaves. 



Is a turnip a bulb, a branch, or a root ? 



