Water and the Plant 



FIG. 50. Seedlings germinating in earthen saucer. 



Explain how the roots of a plant develop. How are roots 

 adapted to the work of getting water from soil? What happens 

 when a plant wilts ? 



Why must a newly transplanted plant have special care? 

 W T hat is capillary water? free water? Do plants grow best 

 in a soil containing free water or only capillary water? Why? 

 Why do wet soils remain cold longer than a soil that is not so wet ? 



How can you determine if a soil is poorly drained ? How can a 

 gardener increase the water-holding power of a soil? Describe 

 the movement of water in soils. How can the gardener conserve 

 soil moisture? 



Things to Do and Observe 



i . To observe root hairs. Germinate seeds of cabbage or radish 

 on blotters placed between saucers, keeping the blotters moist 

 with capillary water (Fig. 50). (Petri dishes are better than 

 saucers if the school has them.) With a hand lens examine the 



