52 LIFE ON THE FARM. 



the soil, which is the great storehouse for water 

 supply. It was formerly thought that plants drink 

 in water with their leaves, but it has lately been 

 proved that this is not the case. Plants will grow 

 and mature without any water touching their 

 leaves. This is so in dry regions, where irrigation 

 is used to supply water. In irrigation the ground 

 is flooded a few inches deep at stated times so that 

 the roots are supplied with water. None touches 

 the leaves or blossoms. Abundant crops are har- 

 vested without the fall of a single rain upon the 

 leaves of the plants. Similar methods are used in 

 the growing of potted plants. 



Roots penetrate the soil, pushing their sensitive 

 tips among rocks, pebbles, and soil grains. The 

 growing end of the root is the part that does the 

 most drinking. The older part carries the water to 

 the main body of the plant, which circulates it as 

 sap. The sensitive ends of the roots are covered 

 with fine hairs which grow out in every direction, 

 taking up all food within their reach. They have 

 great power of attracting water to themselves on 

 account of their small size. The smaller the size 

 of an object, the greater in proportion to its mass 

 is its power of surface tension for the attraction of 

 water. The little hair-like roots are constantly 

 dying. New ones immediately grow out to take 

 their places, so that all the small spaces in the soil 

 are visited in their search. 



Plants get far more substance from the air 



