CHAPTER XIV 



BLOSSOM AND SEED 



Plants, even the very humblest and lowliest, have, as 

 we have seen, many requirements in the way of food of 

 various kinds, water, air, light, and warmth. But having 

 seen them duly provided with all these, we might fancy 

 that now at last all their wants were satisfied, and that 

 nothing more remained but for them to make the best of 

 their opportunities and — grow. 



But all depends upon what we consider to be the plant's 

 object in life. For instance, we may be quite satisfied to 

 grow orange-trees for their blossom merely, or maize for 

 use as forage, and palms for the sake of their fohage, in 

 climates where it is impossible for any one of them to 

 ripen their fruit. And provided they throve and answered 

 these purposes, our object would be attained. 



But plants in the natural state grow to bear and ripen 

 fruit. All the rest of their lives is merely a preparation 

 for this one grand end. The roots draw food from the 

 soil, and the leaves do the same from the air, all for the 

 purpose of feeding and maturing the fruit — the one aim to 

 which everything tends. 



Of course, where man comes upon the scene it is quite 

 another matter, as he can take cuttings of some, divide 

 the roots of others, and fetch continual supplies of seed 

 from the ends of the earth, if necessary. But the wild 

 plant has not these resources to fall back upon, and if its 



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