CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY WORK: THE PURPOSE, ADJUSTMENT, 
APPARATUS, AND USE OF THE LABORATORY 
1. Purpose.—If it were possible always to study all the 
features of plants in the field where they grow it would be 
very desirable; as this is impossible, we must provide a 
laboratory, a work place, where we may handle them better 
even than we can outside. It is often important and help- 
ful to grow plants where all the conditions influencing them 
may be fairly well controlled. A given temperature or a 
given moisture may be better maintained in the laboratory 
than out of doors. It is also the place where we should 
conduct experiments concerning the effect of certain kinds 
of light upon plants. — 
Many important phases of plant life can not be seen 
with the unaided eye, and must be observed, if at all, 
through magnifying-glasses. Sometimes even with magni- 
fiers they can not be observed until very thin sections have 
been made and the tissues colored by some special staining 
fluids. Obviously, all this handling of plants, as well as the 
manipulation of apparatus for it, can be accomplished better 
in a room specially set apart for such work. 
Furthermore, we have ceased to think that botany can be 
studied in the springtime only, although some parts of the 
year are not as favorable as others. For these less favor- 
able seasons a laboratory is indispensable. Much, however, 
may be learned about plants by outdoor study even when 
the weather conditions are unfavorable for growth. 
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