88 INDIAN CORN. 



under the distinct perception of one of the senses, the 

 mind seems to come into closer contact with the mys- 

 teries of vegetable life. 



The height to which this cereal is capable of at- 

 taining is exceedingly variable. It is determined in 

 part by the soil, in some degree by the climate, but 

 depends still more upon the variety of grain. It 

 ranges from less than two feet to over fifteen, and in 

 tropical climates a still larger and ranker growth is 

 not unusual. 



The roots, in a deep, mellow, and fertile soil, are 

 capable of penetrating to a depth of over two and a 

 half feet, and horizontally have been traced to a length 

 nearly equalling the height of the stalk. The prop- 

 roots appear at that stage of the growth when the 

 increasing size and weight of the stalk, and the ac- 

 cession of tassel and ears, render such support need- 

 ful. They usually spring from the first joint above 

 the ground, taking an oblique direction toward the 

 earth, which they soon reach and penetrate, spreading 

 through it in search of nutriment, and anchoring the 

 stalk more securely to the soil. 



The juices that nourish the plant are absorbed 

 from the earth through the fine and thread-like fibres 

 of the roots, passing in succession through the roots 

 of large size until they reach the stalk, from which 

 they are transmitted to every portion, and to the 

 smallest extremities of the plant. From the leaf-stalk 

 this sap is distributed in very minute veins through 

 the whole expanse of the leaf, which brings it in con- 

 tact with light and air. The watery portion of the 



