4 AGRICULTURE 



2. The Corn Plant 



Corn belongs to the "grass" family ; that is, it is a mem- 

 ber of the same group of plants as timothy, wheat, rye, 

 or blue-grass. In order to study the corn plant itself, 

 each member of the class will secure from a near-by field, 

 or bring from home, a complete stalk of corn, taking care 

 to save as much of the root system as possible. Then use 

 the text as a help in studying the plant. 



The roots. Examining the roots, do you find them 

 tough and fibrous, or tender? Do the roots branch, or is 

 there a central tap root? At earing time the roots of a 

 vigorous plant may extend down several feet, and spread 

 out so that they meet the roots from other hills. 



The stem and leaves. How long is the stem? What 

 is its girth just above the root? How many leaves has it? 

 From where do these start? How are they attached? 

 Are the edges of the blades longer than the center? What 

 proof have you? 



The leaves are important in the growth of the plant, 

 since in them the plant food is worked over and assimi- 

 lated, and through them the respiration, or breathing, of 

 the plant is done. The leaves are large, and hence have 

 to stand much tugging in the wind. Are they stronger 

 because of their sheath-like form of attachment? Will 

 they tear as easily in a strong wind if the outer edges are 

 slightly longer than the center? 



Tassel and silk. Strip the husks carefully from an 

 ear in the milk stage, without injuring the silks. How 

 many silks are there? Where are the silks attached to 

 the ear? 



While tassel and silk are borne on different parts of 

 the plant, yet it takes both together to make the complete 

 flower of the corn and produce the ear. The tassel repre- 



