CHAPTER VIII * 



HOW PLANTS ARE PROPAGATED 



ALL the food that is stored up by the plant is for the 

 purpose of propagation, by seeds or in other ways. 

 Many plants go on storing up food for several years 

 before they produce flowers (century plant, most 

 trees). We find that flowers are often formed in the 

 bud the year before they open, so that when the right 

 time comes they grow very quickly. If we know just 

 when the flower buds arejo]ned, we may perhaps hope 

 to control the matter by irrigation, putting on fertilizers, 

 and similar means. 



Cut open hyacinth bulbs, and see the small flowers 

 already formed for next season's growth. Do the same 

 to the large winter buds of horse-chestnut or buckeye. 

 Use a hand lens if you cannot see the flowers with the 

 naked eye. 



FLOWER AND FRUIT 



How are the young flowers protected? We find most 

 flowers covered with a green covering called the calyx. 

 If this be taken away, the flower dries up. It is made 

 of leaf-like parts which are especially fitted for this 



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