528 MAN CONTROLS HIS ENVIRONMENT FOR WEALTH 



of their values as producers of vitamins. Figs, olives, and dates 

 also are grown now in the Southwest ; they are staple foods in 

 the Mediterranean countries and are sources of wealth to the 

 people there, as are coconuts, bananas, and many other fruits in 

 tropical countries. Nuts form one of our important articles of 

 food, largely because of the great amount of protein contained 

 in them. Walnut ranches are now very profitable, especially in 

 California. 



Beverages and condiments. The coffee and cacao beans and 

 the leaves of the tea plant, products of tropical regions, form the 

 basis of very important beverages of civilized man. Black and 

 red pepper, mustard, allspice, nutmegs, cloves, and vanilla are all 

 products from various fruits and seeds of tropical plants. 



Practical Exercise 8. Report to the class on the current value of crops men- 

 tioned in this problem. Which crop is most valuable in California, Washing- 

 ton, Florida, Arizona, New York, Michigan? Consult government bulletin 

 and World Almanac for information. 



Self-Testing Exercise 



(1), (2), and (3) are examples of leaves 



used as food ; (4), (5), and (6) are stems 



used as food (7) are the largest crops raised in our country. 



Fruits, as ........ (8), (9), (10), (11), and 



........ (12), are of great importance (13) is the largest 



cereal crop in the United States, with (14) a close second. 



PROBLEM II. WHAT ARE OTHER ECONOMIC VALUES OF 



PLANTS? 



Many of our industries would not be in existence were it not 

 for certain plant products which furnish the raw materials. Many 

 cities of the East and South, for example, depend upon cotton 

 to give employment to thousands of factory hands. 



Cotton. Of all our native plant products cotton is probably of 

 the most importance. More than twelve million bales of five 

 hundred pounds each are raised annually. 



The cotton plant thrives in warm regions. The seeds of the 

 fruit have long filaments attached to them. Bunches of these 



