NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



23 



sucking up the nourishment that the plant needs. They can only 

 take it in the form of liquid, but in the liquid is dissolved the 

 substance the plant wants, and this liquid the little rootlet sucks 

 up. 



Rootlets are wise little things. They never choose the wrong 

 liquid. Wheat plants like potash and lime, and the little wheat 

 rootlets feel around for water that has these things in it. Then 

 they send the water up to the big root, which sends it up through 

 the stem to the leaves. Here it is digested, or changed into just 

 what the wheat plant needs for its 

 growth. So it is with the rootlets 

 on the oak roots. 



Each little root hair and each 

 little rootlet is like a little mouth 

 taking in food for the big tree. 



When the roots of a big tree 

 spread out wide in search of water 

 food, the branches above ground also spread out. Then the rain 

 which falls on the branches drops off just at the ends of these great 

 spreading limbs, and right over the places where the thirsty little 

 rootlets are waiting to drink it in, and so the plant is fed from 

 above by the air, sun, and leaves, and from below by the great, 

 sturdy, helpful roots. Think of this when next you pass under a 

 tall oak tree, and look out for its strong, sturdy roots, which are 

 holding the great tree in place. See how they have forced their 

 way through the earth under your feet, displacing soil and stones. 



