CHAPTER IV. 



PLANTS. 



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

 A seed contains all the essential parts of the plant it- 

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

 the atmosphere as soon as favorable conditions are sup- 

 plied. This minute plant found in the seed is called the 

 "embryo," or "germ." 



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

 stored up to supply the young plant as it begins to grow, 



until it is able to pro- 

 vide for itself from 

 the soil and the at- 

 mosphere. 



In the "chit" of a 

 kernel of corn, and at 

 the " eye " of a bean, 

 the embryo is to be 

 found. The remainder of the seed is composed of 

 starch and other substances for the young plant to 

 feed upon. 



The Vitality of Seeds. Different varieties of seeds dif- 

 fer greatly in the length of time they maintain their 

 vitality, or power to sprout and produce 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 grow after many years. When sealed away 

 from the air, these seem to retain their vitality almost 

 (64) 



Sections of a Grain of Corn, and the Germ 

 detached. 



