8O THE FIRST BOOK OF FARMING 



ing the root, and place this seedling in the slit be- 

 side the first one (Fig. 45). Watch the growth of 

 these two seedlings for a few days. Repeat this 

 with sprouted peas. In each case it will be found 

 that the removal of the seed-leaves or the kernel 

 checks the growth of the seedling. Therefore, it 

 must be that the seed-leaves which appear above 

 ground, as in the case of the bean, or the kernel of 

 the corn which remains below the surface of the 

 soil, furnish the little plant with food until its roots 

 have grown strong enough to take sufficient food 

 from the soil. 



