PREFACE 



The world of plants is a wonder world to chil- 

 dren. The. growing of a plant, from seed to seed, 

 is a wonderful experience. The wheat that makes 

 our bread can trace its family line back to the 

 time when men lived in caves and were wild as 

 the beasts with whom they contended without 

 weapons. Grains and other plants that have 

 ministered for centuries to the comfort and happi- 

 ness of the race have long, interesting histories. 

 A wonderful future lies before each one. We 

 need but an introduction. Their stories grip our 

 interest. 



Boys and girls are learning to know and to 

 grow plants. The New Agriculture has a place 

 for each one of them. To be ready, they must 

 learn all they can about plants. To help them to 

 wider knowledge is the author's reason for writing 

 this book. 



