26 
Garden Work 
such as wheat, have only one seed leaf, or cotyledon : these 
are the monocotyledons — the others are dicotyledons. 
We thus see that the plant prepares for the future, 
when it diligently gathers and stores up food, not only 
for its own use, but for the use of the baby plant or 
embryo. 
When we open the two cotyledons we find a very small 
part, distinct from the seed leaves, but joined to them by 
two small stalks, one attached to each seed leaf. On closer 
examination, either with the naked eye or with a lens, we 
find that this is a rudimentary or baby plant. We can dis- 
tinguish the beginnings of the root (radicle), and the stem 
(plumule), and even the first two leaves of the plant, with 
veins already plainly marked. 
We thus see that the seed consists of three principal 
parts : — 
1. The embryo, or baby plant, 
2. The cotyledons, or seed leaves. 
3. The testa, or outer skin. 
If we understand our seeds thoroughly we shall know 
exactly how to treat them. When we go to Nature in- 
quiringly she will supply us with the solutions to many 
seemingly intricate problems. Nature has supplied all 
seeds with a skin for protection, but it is not always a 
sufficient protection. This is a hint to us that we ought 
to guard our seeds against injury. If seeds are exposed to 
frost they die — except, of course, the very hardy weeds, 
some of which will germinate even at freezing-point. 
Moisture also injures seeds. If the latter are stored in 
a damp place, they absorb the moisture in the atmosphere, 
the skin will then swell, and, being porous, it passes on the 
