4 THE FOOD OF PLANTS CHAP. 



The Plant Drinks through the Roots 



Having found out that the plant must have a root 

 and be supplied with water, we now wish to know 

 whether the plant drinks up the water through the 

 roots or gets it through the leaves. 



Experiment 3 



In order to find this out, place a plant in a 

 flower-pot, under shelter, and water it every day, 

 taking care not to wet the leaves, but only the earth 

 round the roots. The plant will grow well, showing 

 that the roots, and not the leaves, suck in the water that 

 the plant requires. 



This water is obtained by the roots from the 

 soil, which is nearly always moist a little below the 

 surface, holding the water just as a sponge does. 



The Water passes up from the Roots through 

 the Stem and into the Leaves 



Let us try some more experiments, so that we 

 may make sure that the water is drawn up by the 

 roots and find out what becomes of it. 



Experiment 4 



Pull a young plant up by the roots, and shake 

 it gently so as to remove the earth, and then place 



