THE FOOD OF PLANTS 



CHAP. 



pushing a root covered with fine hairs down into 

 the ground. The young plant must be getting its 

 food either through the roots 

 or through the leaves; or 

 perhaps by means of both. 



We have then one part 

 of the plant, the root, below 

 ground, and another part, the 

 stem and leaves, above ground. 

 We shall look at each of 

 these parts by themselves, and 

 try and find out if they have 

 anything to do with getting 

 food for the plant. 



The Root 



Let us begin by looking 



at the root. You will notice at once that it is 

 covered with little branch roots or hairs, pushing 

 their way into the earth in all directions, as if in 

 search of something. We do not yet know, how- 

 ever, if this root is searching for and obtaining food 

 for the plant. Let us try and find out, by making 

 a few simple experiments. 



Experiment 1 



Pull up a plant, cut the root off, and then plant it 

 again. In a short time the plant will wither and 



