82 



SOUTnEEN FIELD CROPS 



the surface, a series of brace- 

 downward and outward, and 

 the purpose of bracing 

 ing the soil, the brace- 

 and help to supply the plant 

 82. Stem. — The stem 

 solid or filled with pith. 

 The usual height is 5 to 

 above 10 feet is proljably an 



roots (Fig. 32). These slope 

 on reaching the soil they serve 

 the plant. On enter- 

 roots become smaller 

 with food and water, 

 of the corn plant is 

 and tapers to the top. 

 15 feet. A height 

 indication of wasted 



-Brace-roots on the Corn Plant. 



On the paper at tlic bottom of the picture are two detached Ijracc-roots, 

 showing how they liranch in the soil. 



energy, the proportion of stem lieing larger than necessary 

 to the protluction of the maximum amount of gTain. 



Since the corn plant must stand nuieh strain from wind, it 

 is so constructed as to resist or escape or withstand wind pressure. 

 For e.\-ample, devices for this purpose are found in the tapering 

 stem, the presence of brace-roots, the strength of the outer layer 

 or rind, the sohd partitions at the nodes, and the peculiar form of 

 the leaf. 



