8 



Our Field and Forest Trees 



generally lies there, like a dead thing, till spring 

 returns. Indeed, some tree seeds will not sprout 

 till they have been frozen, and some sleep in the 

 earth for a year or more before germinating. 



The length of time the seed lies waiting depends 

 chiefly upon the character of its coverings. If 

 the little plant is shut in behind horny walls, 

 months may pass before the earth's moisture can 

 get through to help the growth 

 within. But if the coverings are thin 

 or very brittle, or if they are not 

 waterproof, seeds soon decay when 

 they cannot sprout. 



We say " coverings " because there 

 are always two, though In many cases 

 they cling so closely together that 

 they seem to be one. An orange pip 

 shows the two coats plainly; the outer 

 one Is fibrous and woody, the inner 

 one is richly colored and as glossy 

 as satin. Fig. 



Inside the coats we 

 find the plant that is to 

 be. Some tree seeds contain just the minute plant 

 and nothing else ; but usually the trees, like faithful 

 parents, make ample provision for their children's 

 start in life. This store of food may be packed 

 around the baby tree as it lies asleep within the 

 seed coats, or it may be part of the baby tree's 

 plant-body (Fig. 4). 



4. The sprouting of a beech 

 seed. A, Seed cut across; B, First 

 foliage leaves; C, Seed leaves shriv- 

 eling and foliage leaves expanding. 



