FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



SECTION VIII. PARTS AND STRUCTURE OF SEED 



PLANTS. 



Parts of Seed Plants. The main parts of such a 

 plant in the vegetative condition are root, stem and 

 leaves. The seeds come from the flowers which do 

 not appear until the plant has reached a certain stage 

 of development. 



Function of the Root. The root has two main func- 



ROOT SYSTEM OF A TOBACCO PLANT. 



tions, to hold the plant firmly in place and to absorb 

 the necessary water and dissolved mineral matters 

 from the soil. Some roots perform only one or the 

 other function, but in most plants they perform both. 

 In addition some roots like those at the base of corn 

 and some other plants come out at some distance above 

 the ground and act as braces. In many plants the 

 first root of the seedling continues to grow and is the 

 largest and most important root, namely the tap root. 



