68 LIFE ON THE FARM. 



The author has found on sassafras, and on black- 

 berry vines, in very shaded locations, no less than 

 twenty different kinds of leaves, varying from sim- 

 ple through lobed to compound, on a single, indi- 

 vidual plant. Thus it has come about, through 

 struggle for existence, that plants change their 

 structure and habits to make a living for them- 

 selves and to propagate their kind. It is much the 

 same with lower animals and with human beings. 

 Men will do all kinds of work, and endure great 

 hardships, in order to provide for themselves and 

 their children. 



" 



STORING OF FOOD IN PLANTS. 



Under the discussion of the work done by 

 leaves, it was stated that they take gases from the 

 air, and mineral substances from the earth, and 

 manufacture them into organized substances. A 

 part of these substances goes to build up the plant 

 structure itself, but in the late stages of plant 

 growth, the best and richest materials are stored 

 away in different parts of the plant for the begin- 

 ning of the next year's growth, or for the starting 

 of new plants. When a new plant starts into life, 

 or when the same plant renews its life and growth 

 after the cessation of activities during winter, there 

 must be something for it to start on before leaves 

 are put forth to gather in and make food. 



With plants that do not annually die down to the 

 ground, new buds can be found at the base of the 



