1C \V A L L ; S MANUAL 



plants, and in many cases improves their quality to 

 such an extent as to render what was once worthless 

 now highly valuable. Apples, potatoes, and toma- 

 toes, are examples of plants reclaimed from a wild 

 and almost worthless state, to one of the highest value 

 and importance. 



GERMINATION. 



The plant is first found as a germ in the seed from 

 which it springs. For example : place a bean in warm 

 water, and let it remain a few hours until it becomes 

 swollen ; then separate the two lobes of which it is 

 formed, you will discover, near what is called the 

 " eye," the germ, consisting of two parts, one to bo 

 developed into roots and the other into the stalk and 

 leaves of the plant. When a seed is placed in a moist, 

 warm soil, it soon begins to swell and absorb water, 

 and also oxygen from the air mingled with the soil. 

 A chemical change begins at once within the seed, by 

 which the material of the grain is so modified as to 

 become the food of the young plant. By fermenta- 

 tion the starch and gluten in the seed become soluble, 

 and enters into the circulation of the germ, which 

 begins to expand and soon bursts the seed. It 

 "sprouts," sending forth two branches, one of which 

 turns downward and puts forth roots; the other 

 turns upward, to seek the light and air, and is soon 

 developed into the stalk and leaves. In the mean- 

 while the grain has been consumed, the plant being 

 now able to obtain nourishment from the soil, through 

 its roots, and from the air, through its blades or 

 leaves. 



The covering of the seed is called its integument 



