IX 



4 



REVIEW OF PLANTS STUDIED 



PARTS OF PLANTS. NOVEMBER 



MATERIAL : Plants with different stems from the school herbarium ; 

 different kinds of leaves and fruits. 



41. 1. Roots. By means of roots, plants are held firmly in 

 the soil, but they also furnish the necessary water to the plants, 

 and with it certain food materials. The roots of trees pene- 

 trate very deep into the soil, and they also spread very far 

 all around the tree. How could you find the depth and dis- 

 tance to which roots of trees grow ? What different shapes 

 of roots have you observed ? Many plants have an under- 

 ground creeping rootstock, from which one or more plants 

 grow in spring. Mention some such plants. 



2. The Stem. It bears the branches, twigs, leaves, Jlowers, 

 and fruit. Most plants have a more or less erect stem. 

 The cucumber has a long, creeping stem. The pea clings to 

 sticks or to other plants by means of fine tendrils, which 

 are wound around their support like springs. Do you know 

 of plants which twine around poles and trees, or climb up 

 walls and trees, holding themselves by means of short root- 

 lets or discs ? Examine some Virginia Creeper and Wild 

 Hops. 



Many plants can readily be increased by cuttings made 

 from their twigs. How can the wild and undesirable plants 

 be improved by budding and grafting ? 



Observations. Which is the most useful ? 

 90 



