16 REPRESENTATIVE PLANTS 



7. Root pressure. 



Explained and set up by instructor. 



8. Root color, whether exposed to the light or not. 



9. Pea seedling supported on nettiug tied over the mouth 

 of a bottle filled with water. Similar to 4. 



5. Experimental Applications of the Root Study 



1. Based on roots as human food. Bring to the labora- 

 tory specimens of all rout vegetables used in your home, 

 and from the tests in a previous section determine the food 

 constituents. The home, market garden, and in a few cases 

 the farm growing of these roots should be learned. The 

 history, if possible, ought to be determined, in particular 

 the native country of each, and the character of the wild 

 plant, if existing. The fine quality, size, and productive- 

 ness are due to selection of the best seeds, from the best 

 plants, careful cultivation in the best soil, and the crossing 

 of fine plants to secure a combination of their good quali- 

 ties. Nature makes the wild plant, but man produces the 

 choice cultivated forms. Founded upon these principles 

 are the profitable industries of market gardening and seed 

 production. Certain lines of manufacture, as dry vegetables, 

 canned vegetables, and preserved horse-radish. Greater than 

 all other features is the saving to the home by the growing 

 of vegetables in the home garden. 



2. Based upon the sugar you find in the beet. You have 

 found sugar in the garden beet. By selection, as in 1, beets 

 are now grown containing as much as 20 % of cane sugar, 

 and many farmers have become independently rich by the 

 growing of sugar beets. Find out, if possible, the amount 

 of sugar made from beets in 1910 or later. 



3. Based on starchy roots, arrowroot and tapioca. Florida 

 farmers raise much cassava for the starch or tapioca. 



Roots, like licorice aud sassafras^ used in medicine and 

 for flavoring. 



