138 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 



but a few hours; one plant, however, may have a 

 good many blossoms. 



Another interesting case of insurance may be 

 found in the formation of leaf -buds, from which 

 new leaves are developed. These leaf-buds were 

 carefully prepared long before the preceding sum- 

 mer's leaves had fallen; and in no way could the 

 plant better show its remarkable forethought. 



In bulbous plants, such as daffodils, snowdrops, 

 hyacinths, and lilies, a big supply of food-material 

 is stored away for future use. This supply has 

 been sa^ed from the past season's earnings an- 

 other "endowment" scheme. 



All who have raised hyacinths in a bowl of water 

 near a sunny window realise that all the plant re- 

 quires to develop green leaves and marvellous flow- 

 ers, laden with perfume, is plenty of water and 

 light. What a wonderful transformation takes 

 place! This is entirely due to the energy of the 

 sun converting the stored material of the bulb into 

 this fantastical and glorious blossom. 



Horticulturists and gardeners have learned how 

 to cause bulbs of lilies, dahlias, and hyacinths to 

 store up an abundance of food-material, by cut- 

 ting down the plant each year just before its flow- 

 er-buds appear. This enables the plant to store 

 up several years' savings, and as a result when it 



