302 ] The Fascination of Flowers 



Tulips Are Planted in the Fall: Tulips are excellent material 

 for youngsters who enjoy gardening in every season of the year. 

 They may be put in the earth during September or October. 

 Each bulb is formed of several layers of leaves, all of which may 

 open above ground if the planting is done properly with the 

 tip of the bulb pointed upward. The leaf layers are fleshy, for 

 they contain the food that was stored up during the previous 

 season. This food nourishes the flower bud in the heart of each 

 bulb and the other growing parts. The roots, forming a thick 

 white tassel below the bud, bring minerals and water up from 

 the soil. 



The Tulip's Spring Buds: In the spring, the anxious gardener 

 first sees his tulip buds appear, protected by three sepals. As 

 the bud stretches upward and becomes larger, the green of the 

 sepals changes to the color of the petals. When the flower finally 

 opens there is no very noticeable difference between petal and 

 sepal. The sepals are below the petals and stand out around them, 

 giving the flower a triangular shape. When the sun is not bright, 

 the sepals partially close about the flower. 



BACHELOR'S-BUTTONS COMPOSITE FLOWERS 



Most children love this hardy and beautiful plant, often 

 called the cornflower. It may have special interest for them, too, 

 if they realize it is one of the "composite" plants a group in 

 which different kinds of flowers are attached to one head. Those at 

 the center of this compound flower head work for the production 

 of seeds, while the flowers surrounding the center serve merely to 

 attract insects. 



The bachelor's-button usually has from seven to fourteen mar- 

 ginal flowers and they may be white, pink, blue, or purple. Each 

 of the center flowers has a white corolla tube, enlarged toward 

 the upper end to a purple bulb, and a purplish anther tube which 

 is bent far over so that its tip opens toward the middle of the 

 flower head. 



