CHAPTER XL 



SEEDS AND HOW THEY GROW 



One of the most wonderful processes of nature is the 

 storing of new plant life in tiny seeds, by means of which 

 new growth is assured to meet our needs. Without seeds 

 to sow, fertile soil and moisture would be of little value 

 to us. Seeds, however, are so small that we can transport 

 them in countless numbers and so plant them in the right 

 soil to produce new harvests for our food. 



Compressed in these tiny seeds are the richest of the 

 green plant's food products. These nourish the new plants 

 in their first stages. Thus it is easy to see why nuts and 

 grain are so nutritious. Let us take a look into the struc- 

 ture of these seeds where the tiny new growth is started 

 on its way. 



Structure of Seeds. The most important part of a mature 

 seed is the embryo, the tiny plant within the seed. This usually 

 is composed of three parts, the hypocotyl, the epicotyl and the 



cotyledon or cotyledons. The 

 hypocotyl is the part of the 

 embryo below the cotyledon, or 

 seed leaf, which develops into the 

 first root and stem. The epi- 

 cotyl, or plumule, is the part of 

 the embryo above the cotyledon 

 which develops into the stem 

 and true leaf. The cotyledon 



performs different functions in 

 SECTION OF CORN GRAIN 



different plants. It may act as a 

 storehouse of food for the em- 

 bryo, as an organ for the manu- 

 facture of food, as an organ for 

 the digestion and absorption of 

 food, or may perform several of these functions. In certain 

 seeds, such as corn and wheat, food is not stored in the cotyledons 



504 



A. 

 B. 

 C. 

 D. 



E. 

 F. 



Endosperm. 



Cotyledon. 



Hypocotyl. 



Point of attachment to the 



parent plant. 

 Embryo. 

 Testa. 



