FUNCTIONS OF PLANT ORGANS 13 



amount of water to derive the sustenance necessary. A 

 grass plant has been found to give off its own weight in 

 water every twenty-four hours in hot, dry summer 

 weather. This would make about 6J/2 tons of water per 

 acre for every twenty-four hours in ordinary grain fields. 

 This proves that moisture is one of the most essential 

 items for producing plant growth and must be properly 

 provided. 



Botanists maintain that 95 to 97 per cent, of all the 

 materials from which Nature builds the tissues of her 

 plants are taken from the air. It is important, then, 

 that we know by what process the materials from the 

 air are transformed into plant food, particularly that 

 part of the process which Nature depends upon tillage 

 and the soil to perform. 



Nature furnishes the moisture, air, light and soil. 

 She expects us to till the soil in order that she may use 

 the moisture, air, light and soil to the best advantage in 

 transforming materials into plant food for growing 

 crops. She rewards bountifully those who work with 

 her, and she recompenses poorly those who do not. 



Working with Nature means a knowledge of the effect 

 of moisture, air, light and heat upon the soil and apply- 

 ing that knowledge in a practical manner. 



