Water and the Plant . 87 
Fic. 50. Seedlings germinating in earthen saucer. 
Explain how the roots of a plant develop. How are roots 
adapted to the work of getting water from soil? What happens 
when a plant wilts ? 
Why must a newly transplanted plant have special care? 
What is capillary water? free water? Do plants grow best 
in a soil containing free water or only capillary water? Why? 
Why do wet soils remain cold longer than a soil that is not so wet ? 
How can you determine if a soil is poorly drained? How cana 
gardener increase the water-holding power of a soil? Describe 
the movement of water in soils. How can the gardenet conserve 
soil moisture ? 
Things to Do and Observe 
1. To observe root hairs. Germinate seeds of cabbage or radish 
on blotters placed between saucers, keeping the blotters moist 
with capillary water (Fig. 50). (Petri dishes are better than 
saucers if the school has them.) With a hand lens examine the 
