CHAPTER XIX. 



FRUITS. 



If a flower has been fertilized, changes will take place in the 

 ovule and other parts of the plant, and fruit will be formed. 

 Sometimes, after wind and insects have done their share in 

 pollination, a prolonged rain will wash off the pollen before 

 fertilization has taken place. In that case the flowers are 

 of no more use. An absciss layer is formed, and they fall to 

 the ground. If a hard storm comes when Apricots are flower- 

 ing, " it will be a poor year for fruit," the farmers say. But, 

 as compensation, a few flowers which were protected will form 

 fine large fruit. The storm may be fortunate, as it gives the 

 trees a rest. It is exhaustive work to form fruit. Food must 

 be made for the embryo which begins to grow, and the seed- 

 coats must be strengthened. Sometimes an outer coat, an 

 aril, is formed after fertilization. When the ovule is ripe it is 

 called a seed. 



In the second place the ovary undergoes changes which 

 aid the seed-coats in protecting the embryos, but their chief 

 use is to scatter the seed. We speak of the ripened ovary as 

 the fruit. The ripening ovules derive their nourishment from 

 the mother plant through their attachment to the ovary. 



Some fruits are dry and hard ; others are juicy. A dry 

 fruit is frequently miscalled a seed. On the other hand, any 

 part of the plant that is good to eat is apt to be called a fruit, 

 even to a Potato! Have you ever seen the fruit of Potato? 

 Vou have never eaten it. 



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 174 



