CHAPTER V 
DIRECTION OF GROWTH OF ROOT AND STEM 
In our studies of the seedlings we cannot fail to observe 
that the first root grows downward and. the stem upward. 
No matter which way the seed is turned, as soon as the 
root comes out it turns downward. It grows toward 
the earth, or if it is in the ground it grows toward the 
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Fic. 51. Maize seedling pinned in a horizontal position. 
centre of the earth. So we say that the root grows 
toward the earth, while the stem grows away from the 
earth, or upward. It is interesting to notice how per- 
sistently the root and stem grow in these directions. 
To see how persistent they are in this, change the posi- 
tions of the seedlings after they have begun to grow. 
Downward growth of the root. Take any one of the 
seedlings germinated in moss or sawdust or behind 
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