32 NATURE TEACHING 



be seen in plants of radish, turnip, carrot, and beet 

 These plants are biennials (see page 26). 



Sow a few seeds of radish, turnip, or beet in a garden 

 bed, or in a box, between the months of April and June. 

 Towards winter the leaves die down, and it can be seen 

 that by that time long roots have been formed under- 

 ground. The roots may be allowed to remain in the 

 ground, or, if more convenient, they may be dug up, 

 labelled and stored for the winter in a moderately warm 

 dry place, where they run no risk of being frozen. In 

 April or May weigh the roots and plant them in the 

 ground or box again, and water as required. In time 

 new leaves should be formed, to be followed later by 

 flowers and seed. When the seed is ripe, collect it for 

 future use, then dig up the roots, dry them as before, and 

 then weigh and compare their weight with their original 

 weight when planted in the spring. The roots should, of 

 course, be marked throughout the experiment with dis- 

 tinctive numbers. Careful notes should be made of the 

 facts observed, also of the character of the roots when 

 planted out, and after the plants have flowered. Draw- 

 ings are very important to show the changes which go 

 on in the roots. 



Growth in Length. 



Germinate some beans in moist sand or sawdust, and 

 allow them to grow until their roots are about two inches 

 long ; wash carefully a number of the seedlings, and 

 select one which has a straight, well-formed root, perfectly 

 free from injury. 



Lay the seedling on a piece of damp blotting-paper, 



