CHAPTER VI 

 THE WORK OF FLOWERS 



IN preparation for flowering, the plant stores up a 

 supply of food. How long does this take; what kind 

 of food is stored, and where? Compare the behavior, 

 in this respect, of plants which live for a year only 

 (annuals), plants which live two years (biennials) and 

 plants which live on from year to year (perennials), 

 Which method of preparation for flowering seems to 

 you in general most effective? Find out what you can 

 about the behavior of Cacti and the Century Plant. 

 Study especially the different kinds of bulbous plants. 

 Cut open the bulb of a Hyacinth, and notice the food 

 stored for next spring's growth, and the flowers 

 already formed and prepared to open at the earliest 

 opportunity. 



The formation of flower -buds during the previous 

 season would seem to be an advantage. Does this 

 occur in most plants? Open, and examine with a 

 hand-lens the large winter-buds of the Horse-Chestnut, 

 Buckeye, Hickory, Maple, Poplar, etc. Can you find 

 any traces of flowers? In some cases the flower -buds 

 may be recognized by their position ; for example, 



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