i THE PLANT AND WATER 3 



die, showing that the root was probably getting food for 

 the plant out of the earth. In some cases, it is true, 

 if we cut a slip from a plant and put it in the ground, 

 it will live and grow, but this is because fresh roots 

 are formed at the end of the slip under the earth, 

 and pushed out into the soil. We may therefore 

 conclude that without a root a plant cannot live. 



The Plant requires Water . 



In order to live we require both food and drink, 

 and would soon die if deprived of water. Let us 

 see if water is required by the plant. 



Experiment 2 



In order to find out if a plant requires water, 

 place one in a flower -pot, and keep it without 

 water for a few days. It will soon wither and die, 

 showing that it cannot live without water. If a flower 

 is placed under shelter where the rain cannot fall on 

 it or moisture reach it, you must water it every day, 

 or it will die. In England the trees and grass and 

 flowers get all the water they require from the rain, 

 but in some countries where there is little or no rain, 

 canals have to be dug, bringing water from a river 

 or some other source, to supply the plants. 



