20 OUTLINES OF FORESTRY. 



II. CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR THE 

 GROWTH OF PLANTS. 



EXTENDED scientific research has established the 

 fact that all forms of life, whether of the animal 

 or the plant, can, at their earliest stages, be traced 

 to a minute germ-cell filled with a more or less 

 transparent substance called protoplasm, and con- 

 taining a dark, opaque spot called the nucleus. 

 Unless this germ-cell exists, plant or animal life is 

 impossible. 



Although cases exist where there has been no 

 apparent evidence of the presence of a germ or 

 seed, yet such germ or seed must have existed, 

 and was derived from a plant of exactly the same 

 character as that which such seed will produce 

 when called into active and matured growth. 



Under peculiar circumstances, plant or animal 

 germs possess wonderful vitality, and may remain 

 in a dormant state for a very long time, only 

 beginning to grow when exposed to the conditions 

 necessary for growth. 



In order that any form of plant life may exist 



