THE COMMON BLUE VIOLET 153 



Did you look for violets at all before they came, 

 this year? Were there any promises of violets? 

 (The leaves.) Can you think of any reason why 

 the leaves should come first? (They make a pretty 

 home for the flower. They stand around it like 

 little soldiers, ready to protect it.) But that is not 

 all. The leaves are the plants' kitchens, in which 

 all the food is prepared for the flowers and the 

 whole plant as well. The little flowers must have 

 food or they could not grow, so the leaves come 

 first and get the food ready for them. Can you 

 see the work going on in the leaves? (No, the 

 preparation of the food is made in a very quiet 

 and orderly manner.) 



Where does the food which is prepared in the 

 leaves come from? (The roots get it from the 

 ground.) Have you ever noticed the roots of 

 the violet? I have a plant here with its roots 

 washed so that you can see them plainly. Which 

 are the working roots? (The very small ones.) 

 What must these roots have through which to take 

 their food? (Mouths.) Where are their mouths? 

 (All over the tiny roots.) Can you see them ? (No.) 

 What kind of food can be taken through such little 

 mouths? (Water.) If you put a little salt or soda 



