CHAPTKK I. THE SEED. 



1. We are familiar with seeds as the 

 means by which plants are propagated. Every 

 seed contains a small plant, the embryo, togeth- 

 er with a supply of plant food which is to 

 nourish the little plant until it is able to obtain 

 its own food from the air and soil. All this is 

 wrapped round and protected by a covering 

 known as the need-coal. 



2. When a seed is placed under proper 

 conditions, the young plant, which it contains, 

 begins to grow and the seed is said to germi- 

 nate. Several things are necessary to enable 

 seeds to germinate ; they must have a supply 

 of moisture and of air, and they must also 

 be kept warm. 



THE I'AUTS OF A SEED. 



3. In order to distinguish the various 

 parts of a seed it is well to examine one which 

 has begun to germinate, for in that condition 



