226 



SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



The seed is a grain, covered ■with a thin seedcoat. It is 

 usually longer than wide, the germ being located at one 

 end and on one side. 



163. A Peculiar Habit of Growth. — Grasses, particu- 

 larly those which grow year after year, or perennials, 



-^isM 



( P! fy Lrd rood and Und'.rwood. 



Fig t6 — Cattle on the range 



often have creeping underground stems by which the 

 plants spread. 



In the small grains, which are not perennials, but an- 

 nuals, we call this habit stoohng. The same tendency is 

 shown even by corn in its habit of forming suckers. These 

 in corn are considered undesirable, while we often watch 

 for wheat to stool with some anxiety as it is a method 

 which the plant has of filling the vacant spaces. 



Grasses used for the purposes named in this chapter 

 may be grouped under three heads : 



