CHAPTER II 
THE PARTS OF A PLANT AND THEIR WORK 
LESSON II 
General study of the parts of plants 
Materials—Any plot of ground where growing plants 
abound. A lot or a roadside with numerous weeds is a fa- 
vorable place for study. 
Observations and study.—In each of the plants most 
commonly seen there are three regions: roots, stem, and 
leaves. Though each region is definitely connected with 
and dependent upon the others, each has its own part to 
perform in enabling the whole plant to live and grow suc- 
cessfully. We shall see what constitutes each region and 
what each has to do in the work of the plant. 
Carefully remove from the ground a plant of red clover, 
ragweed, or any other similar specimen. Make a general 
sketch showing the three regions. 
The roots.—Are all other roots offshoots from one central 
or tap-root? Note the size and length of different roots. 
Where are the smallest roots? Were they near the surface 
or deep in the soil when the plant was growing? Do you 
find on the smallest rootlets the fine, white, furry growth of 
root-hairs? A small hand lens will help much in recogniz- 
ing them. Draw in detail a part of the root system. 
The stem.—Note how roots and stem join. Was any of 
the stem below ground? Is it of the same size throughout 
its length? Has the plant a single or a branching stem? 
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