78 THE FIRST BOOK OF FARMING 



projection. The part bearing the tiny leaves was 

 formerly, and is sometimes now, called the plumule, 

 but is generally called the epicotyl, because it grows 

 above or upon the cotyledons. The round pointed 

 projection was formerly called the radicle, but is 

 now spoken of as the hypocotyl, because it grows 

 below or under the cotyledons. 



Examine a dry kernel of corn and notice that on 

 one side there is a slight oval-shaped depression 

 (Fig. 4I 1 ). Now take a soaked kernel and cut it 

 in two pieces making the cut lengthwise from the 

 top of the kernel through the centre of the oval 

 depression and examine the cut surface. A more 

 or less triangular-shaped body will be found on the 

 concave side of the kernel (see Figs. 4i 2 and 4i 3 ). 

 This is the one cotyledon of the corn. Besides this 

 will be found quite a mass of starchy material 

 packed in the coverings of the kernel and in close 

 contact with one side of the cotyledon. This is 

 sometimes called the endosperm. 



Within the cotyledon will be found a little grow- 

 ing shoot pointed toward the top of the kernel. 

 This is the epicotyl, and another growing tip pointed 

 toward the lower end of the kernel ; this is the 

 hypocotyl or the part which penetrates the soil and 

 forms roots. 



Now examine the seeds that were planted in suc- 

 cession. Some will be just starting a growing point 

 down into the soil. Some of them have probably 

 come up and others are at intermediate stages. 



How did the bean get up? 



