44 Gardening 
rapid development, for unfavorable conditions ofte 
force them to flower and fruit before they reach ft 
size. . 
The good gardener knows that injury once done to h 
crops can seldom be repaired by any amount of later cari 
‘so he supplies the needs of his plants before they suffe 
He prepares the ground properly and plants his see 
carefully, so that the seeds may germinate and sta 
vigorous growth at once. He cultivates the your 
seedlings before the soil becomes compact and wee 
appear, so that they may come to the period of rap 
growth quickly and in good condition. When rainfz 
is scant, he waters his garden before the soil becomes dr 
He thins his seedlings before they crowd each other, ar 
he pulls weeds before they overshadow and damage h 
plants. 
All this he does because by experience he has learne 
that the growth his plants make and the amount ar 
quality of food that they yield depend on the care the 
receive from day to day. 
Questions 
e 
Describe a plant cell. In what two ways do plants grov 
Explain how new parts are formed. In what parts of a pla 
is growth most rapid? What are the four stages in the life 
garden plants? How does the storage stage of the carrot difi 
from that of the, tomato? Compare the fruiting stages of the 
two plants. 
Why do plants need special care during the seedling stag 
Why should the gardener try to supply the needs of his plar 
before they begin to suffer? Name some of the things a garder 
does to make conditions favorable for his plants. 
