82 



SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



the surface, a series of brace- 

 downward and outward, and 

 the purpose of bracing 

 ing the soil, the brace- 

 and help to supply the plant 

 82. Stem. — The stem 

 solid or filled with pith. 

 The usual height is 5 to 

 above 10 feet is probably an 



roots (Fig. 32). These slope 

 on reaching the soil they serve 

 the plant. On enter- 

 roots become smaller 

 with food and water, 

 of the corn plant is 

 and tapers to the top. 

 15 feet. A height 

 indication of wasted 



Fig. 32. — Brace-roots on the Corn Plant. 



On the paper at the bottom of the picture are two detached brace-ioots, 

 showing how they branch in the soil. 



energy, the proportion of stem being larger than necessary 

 to the production of the maximum amoimt of grain. 



Since the corn plant must stand much, strain from wind, it 

 is so constructed as to resist or escape or withstand wind pressure. 

 For example, devices for this purpose are found in the tapering 

 stem, the presence of brace-roots, the strength of the outer layer 

 or rind, the solid partitions at the nodes, and the peculiar form of 

 the leaf. 



