CHAPTER VIII 



THE SOIL AND THE PLANT 



Apparatus required. 



Dry powdered soil, sand, clay, leaf mould, seeds. 

 Six funnels, disks, stands and glass jars [3]. Six glass 

 tubes about \in, diameter and \Sin. long [2]. Muslin, 

 string, three beakers. Six lamp chimneys standing in 

 tin lids [3]. Pot experiments (p, xiii), growing plant 

 Two test tubes fitted with split corks (Fig. 35). 



If you have ever tried to grow a plant in a pot you 

 must have discovered that it needs much attention if it 

 is to be kept alive. It wants water or it withers; it 

 must be kept warm enough or it is killed by cold ; it has 

 to be fed or it gets yellow and starved; also it needs 

 fresh air and light. These five things are necessary for 

 the plant: 



Water, 



Warmth, 



Food, 



Fresh air, 



Light. 

 We may add a sixth: there must be no harmful sub- 

 stance present in the soil. 



Wild plants growing in their native haunts get no 

 attention and yet their wants are supplied. We will 

 try and find out how this is done. 



