THE PLANTS NEED OF SEEDS 



429 



are being made to improve the numerous fruits and flowers 

 which we already have, and to add to their numbers others of 

 equal value (Fig. 292). 



The plant's need of seeds. Nature depends largely upon 

 seeds for her future crop. The seeds which fall from the solitary 



FIG. 293. Young cedars springing up around the parent tree. 



cedar tree take root, grow, and in time may transform the field 



into a thick forest (Fig. 293). The seeds of the maple tree are 



dainty and light and are blown about by the wind, and some of 



them fall to the ground far away from the parent plant (Fig. 



294). The seeds of the milkweed 



plant (Fig. 295) have silky hairs 



attached to them which act as sails 



in the wind and carry the seeds far 



and wide. Seeds are frequently 



taken from field to field by animals 



which carry them on their rough or 



shaggy coats (Fig. 296). Every FIG. 294. Maple seeds. 



