INTRODUCTORY 3 



as physiology. Another branch is concerned with the form, 

 origin, development, and relationship of the various parts to 

 each other, without any reference to the work they do : the term 

 morphology is used to denote this division of the science. 



Then, again, the structure and arrangement of the various parts 

 of plants may be studied in order to determine their points of 

 similarity and of difference with a view of placing together in 

 groups all those possessing certain degrees of resemblance : this 

 is usually termed Systematic Botany. For purposes of con- 

 venience and methodical extension of knowledge of the subject 

 many other divisions of the Science are made, and in each of 

 them the study of plants is made from a somewhat different 

 standpoint. Although other classes of the vegetable kingdom 

 need attention it is advisable to confine our study at first to the 

 seed-bearing plants, as this division includes all those which are 

 everywhere most familiar. It is essential that farmers and all 

 who are interested in the management of plants for pleasure or 

 profit should examine and investigate them from as many differ- 

 ent aspects as possible, as only by so doing can real progress be 

 made in their cultivation. 



3. Most plants of the farm belong to the class known as Sperma- 

 phytes or seed-bearing plants ; the latter are sometimes called 

 Flowering plants or Phanerogams, but their chief characteristic is 

 the production of seeds. The life-history of a spermaphyte is 

 a continuous process of development or unfolding of parts in 

 which we may recognise four fairly distinct periods, namely : — 



(i) Germination of the seed and the escape of a young plant 

 from it ; 



(2) The development and growth of roots, stems, and green 



leaves ; 



(3) The flowering period or formation and opening of flowers ; 



and 



(4) The production and ripening of fruits with their contained 



seeds. 



