THE BEGINNER'S BOOK OF 

 GARDENING 



WHAT PLANTS ARE MADE OF 



Plants differ much in their constitution, but in nearly 

 all cases the principal ingredient of a living plant is 

 water. The turnip contains more than ninety per cent, 

 of water, and even timber felled in the driest time usually 

 contains nearly half its weight of water. In addition to 

 water most plants contain carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, 

 nitrogen, sulphur, potassium, phosphorus, and other 

 elements. The greater part of the carbon which forms 

 so important a part of every plant is obtained from the 

 atmosphere by means of the leaves. The other elements 

 and the water are derived from the soil by the agency 

 of the roots. 



Most garden plants are grown from seed, and it may 

 be wondered in what manner the young plant is able to 

 grow before its leaves and roots have appeared. The 

 solution is that the material other than air and water 

 required for the purpose of germination is contained in 

 the seed itself. The store of nutriment thus supplied is 

 enough to carry the young plant to the stage when its 

 leaves and rootlets are sufficiently developed for it to 

 obtain food for itself. 



Seeds are storehouses of concentrated food, which 

 explains their great value as foods for men and animals. 

 Wheat, peas, beans, and rice are common examples. 



All plants which live beyond a single season store up 



