186 LIFE STORIES OF PLANTS 
play on the small leaves they stretch out so that a 
greater surface may receive light, for light 1s good for 
the leaf and plant. As the stem gets longer, the leaves 
higher up are better formed and more fully developed. 
The growth and work period. If there are no sticks 
or objects for the pea 
plant to take hold of, it 
will show you that it 
needs some means of 
support. It will soon 
lie prostrate. But iu 
you put an upright 
stick within its reach, 
or train some cord or 
string near by, the 
tendrils on the leaf will 
stretch out and coil 
round it. In this way 
the plant can climb up 
where there is more 
light: and/; air, /,, “Tate 
stem branches, and at length a tall and bushy plant 1s 
formed. There is a much greater leaf surface. 
While the plant has been growing, and lifting up 
water and food from the soil by the combined work of 
the roots and leaves and stem, the green leaves have 
been doing another kind of work, for which we know 

FIG. 226. Sweet pea coming up. 
