THE PURPOSE OF A PLANT 7 



become free from it only when it rots. There are some 

 pericarps, however, which cling to the plant rather than 

 to the seed. Such pericarps open and allow the seed to es- 

 cape, as with the ripe pea and bean, and all legumes. The 

 larkspur, the columbine, and the poppy all do the same, 

 and the ripe seeds are shaken abroad in order to lodge in 

 the earth. 



Until man left his wandering, and took to settled life, 

 plants took care of the work of seeding themselves. The 

 seed fell by chance, and struck root if it could. Such seed- 

 ing still takes place in all wild spots, such as the woods and 

 the fence rows, where the trees and the weeds are always 

 struggling for a chance to live. But thousands of years ago 

 men discovered that the best way to provide vegetable 

 food was to grow plants in good earth, with plenty of space, 

 and protected from struggle. The first step to this was the 

 saving of seed. 



Keview Questions 



1. When a savage tribe gives up wandering, why does the culti- 

 vation of the soil become necessary ? 



2. Explain the difference between gardening and farming. What 

 is a garden ? 



3. In what way are all plants alike? 



4. What is the purpose of a plant ? 



5. What does a plant need before it can flower ? 



6. What are the parts of a common flower ? What are the 

 necessary parts? The work of a flower? 



7. What is a seed ? A fruit ? Give examples. 



8. In what ways do plants scatter seed ? 



