Chapter IV 
Why is it hard to 
grow flowers in 
the shade of a 
tree? 
FOOD FOR PLANTS 
li^TOST flowers will not grow well in the 
shade because there is not enough light 
for the leaves. Leaves cannot manufacture food 
unless there is plenty of sunlight. The leaves of 
the tree form such a heavy shade that no sun¬ 
light gets to the little plants underneath. But 
some plants come up early in the spring and 
get all their work done before the trees have all 
their leaves. That is why violets, lilies of the 
valley, blue phlox, and spring beauties can grow 
in shady places. 
A second reason is because the drip of water 
from the branches of the trees washes away the 
soil from the plants that are growing below. 
But a third and more important reason is be¬ 
cause the plants are likely to starve to death. 
All plants must have some minerals and other 
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