CHAPTER IV. 



PLANTS. 



Seeds. — The growth of a plant begins with the seed. 

 A seed contains all the essential i)arts of the plant it- 

 self, ready to be extended outward into the soil and into 

 the atmosphere as soon as favorabli' conditions are sup- 

 plied. Tliis minute })lant found in the seed is called the 

 " embryo," or " g-erm." 



Besides the germ, a seed contains a quantity of food, 

 stored up to supi»ly the young plant as it begins to grow, 



until it is able to pro- 

 vide for itself from 

 the soil and the at- 

 mosi)here. 



In the "chit" of a 

 kernel of corn, and at 

 the " eye " of a bean, 

 the emliryo is to be 

 found. The remainder of the seed is composed of 

 starch and other substances for the young })lant to 

 feed upon. 



The Vitality of Seeds. — Different varieties of seeds dif- 

 fer greatly in tlie length of time they maintain their 

 vitality, or power to s})rout and ])roduce growth. The 

 seeds of some trees will not sprout at all after once be- 

 coming dry. On the other hand, some seeds, if kept 

 dry, will gi-ow after many years. When sealed away 

 from the air, these seem to retain their vitality almost 

 (54) 



Sections of a Grain of Corn, and the Germ 

 detached. 



