High/ield : The Structiiye of a Garlic Bulb. 



333 



(b) the sheath ; (c) the tubular base of the first or oldest leaf, 

 which encloses {d) the flower stalk and {e) the , second leaf. 

 In a series of transverse sections taken successively from above 

 downwards this, leaf is seen in the stages of lamina, solid 

 petiole, aad tubular base. In the figure the crescent-shaped 

 mark shows the interior margin of the tube, which, in its 

 upper regions, is a closed slit, but which opens towards the 

 base. In the deepest sections next year's shoot may be seen 

 arising in the centre of the tube. 



f^ic 2 



a 



Section of Garlic Bulb. 



After the leaves are expanded, the old bulb undergoes 

 rapid disintegration. The outer food ring and the sheath will 

 have disappeared entirely at the time of flowering. The tube 

 of the first leaf then ruptures at one side, causing the parts 

 of the bulb to fall asunder, since this leaf and the flower stalk 

 are only attached at the base. Probably the function of the 

 first leaf is to supply food storage for the seeds. It takes no 

 further part in the structure of the bulb, and when the seeds 

 are ripe this leaf and the flower stalk wither off at the base, 

 leaving practically no trace. The second or last leaf {e) con- 

 tinues to flourish for some time longer, and its base becomes 

 swollen with food storage. This leaf base is the only part of 

 the season's growth which remains to form next year's bulb. 



1912 Nov. I. 



