16 THE BROAD BEAN PLANT. 



If you were unable to get mature Broad Bean plants when 

 you began work, you will find it very easy to raise the plants 

 from seed in pots of soil indoors or in the garden. Some 

 plants should also be raised in "culture solution" (Art. 143). 



We have seen that the use, purpose, or function of the 

 flowers is to produce the ripe seeds. Later on we shall study 

 the functions of the leaves, stems, and roots. At present, 

 however, we shall take up the germination of the seed, for 

 this will lead us at once to make experiments the only way 

 in which we can gain any real insight into the life of plants. 



