HOW PLANTS GROW 337 



the starch appears; if so, then beans and corn contain 

 starch. Split some corn grains both ways and see which 

 part of the corn is mostly starch. 



To test for protein, take some white of an egg or bread, 

 which we already know contain protein, and put on it 

 some strong nitric acid and observe the yellow color; 

 then add a few drops of ammonia and notice the yellow 

 color change to orange. Save a sample of the yellow 

 and orange colors for comparison with other tests. Now 

 put strong nitric acid on some beans and corn, giving it 

 several minutes to act; observe the color and then add 

 some ammonia. Do corn and beans contain protein? 



By holding a corn grain to the light we can see a small 

 section on either side through which light seems to pass; 

 this part contains oil or fat. 



233. Germination. When the young plant in a seed 

 or grain starts to grow, we call that germination. In 

 order to make sure that we learn how it takes place, it 

 will be best to plant seeds of various kinds. Plant them 

 about one inch deep in moist soil, sand, or sawdust, or 

 between moist blotting paper; remove one or two each 

 day and examine them carefully to see how they are 

 growing and which parts are growing. Plant some beans, 

 peas, pumpkin seeds, corn, and wheat, and note carefully 

 the difference in the way they come out of the soil. What 

 is the difference between the growth of beans and peas? 

 Between pumpkins and beans? Between corn and beans? 

 Does the root or the top start from the seed first? Why? 



All kinds of seeds and grains contain digestive ferments 

 called enzymes. An enzyme in grains is called diastase. 

 Diastase is a chemical ferment which changes starch to 

 sugar without itself being changed. When the plant starts 

 to grow more diastase is produced from the grain. Plants 



