EXERCISE 16. A STUDY OF THE MATURE CORN 

 PLANT 



Equipment: Spade and note book. 



Method: Carefully dig up a mature stalk of corn and 

 make a careful study, (1) of the parts below ground, and 

 (2) of the parts above the soil. 



Discussion: A close examination of the parts below 

 ground will reveal the fact that besides the large roots that 

 hold the plant upright, there are a large number of little 

 threadlike roots passing out into the soil in all directions. 

 How deep would it be safe to plow without injuring these 

 fine feeding roots? About the time the tassels develop the 

 large brace roots appear. 



Above the ground the joints of the stalk are called nodes, 

 and the portions between the joints the internodes. These 

 internodes are flattened on one side. Upon which side of the 

 intemode is the ear always found? How are the leaves 

 arranged on the stalk? Notice that the edges of the leaves 

 are longer than the central part, giving the margin a wavy 

 appearance. Does this not help to prevent the leaves from 

 being torn by the wind? 



The stamens of the corn plant are located in the tassel 

 at the upper extremity of the stalk, while the pistils are down 

 on the side of the stalk and form the silks of the ear. Open 

 an ear of corn just after the silks have made their appearance 



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