FUNCTIONS OF PLANT ORGANS 1 1 



roots drinks in its share of food for the plants. When 

 we consider that plants are soup eaters, that is, all the 

 food the roots absorb is taken in liquid form, the im- 

 portance of having the best possible seed bed from top 

 to bottom is obvious. 



When the rain washed away the earth it generously left the corn roots 

 in much the same position as they would be found if it were possible to 

 look, into the earth. 



A study of this illustration shows how easy it is to break these roots 

 by cultivation. Recognizing that roots are necessary for absorbing (he 

 food contained in the soil, the importance of protecting this root system 

 and giving it every opportunity becomes apparent. 



The stems are the conveyors of this food to the leaves 

 and the flowers and also serve the important purpose of 

 holding up the flowers and leaves from the ground to 

 give them an opportunity to do their work. 



The leaf has four principal functions to perform. It 

 has to do with the starch making properties of the plant, 



