That is another
reason why we should see that, if possible, there is plenty of
nourishment available in the soil, and plenty of water too.

"These bean roots and rootlets show the feeding area or places of
plants. Notice the small roots which apparently have a fringe on them.
These fringes we call the root hairs. These absorb, soak up the dilute
food which is in the soil.

"It is very wonderful what power they have of penetrating the soil. See
the bit of blotter I have put down the path of one bean's root course.
It would seem to shut the rootlets entirely off from the soil.

"Jay will gently press the bit of blotter away from the soil. See here
and there how these root hairs have wound their way through the blotter
to the soil, their feeding place. It is well that plants have this power
of seeking and finding food. Because it greatly increases their food
chances.

"So much very briefly for plant food. I have not told you very much to
be sure, but it is quite enough, I think, for a 'starter,' I wish to
tell you a bit about the plant itself soon. A few experiments may liven
up the subject. So I shall ask Josephine, Miriam, and Ethel to attend to
those for us. We can take turns at demonstrating as Jay and Albert have
to-day. So you girls must remember to drop in to see me--say, Wednesday
of next week."

III

SEEDS

Now before we begin just have a look at these geraniums. They have
turned entirely around again and are looking out of the window at the
sun. The power which plants have to move is very clearly shown, is it
not? I am going to talk a little this afternoon about seeds.

"Any reliable seed house can be depended upon for good seeds; but even
so, there is a great risk in seeds. A seed may to all appearances be all
right and yet not have within it vitality enough, or power, to produce a
hardy plant.

"If you save seed from your own plants you are able to choose carefully.
Suppose you are saving seed of aster plants. What blossoms shall you
decide upon? Now it is not the blossom only which you must consider, but
the entire plant. Why? Because a weak, straggly plant may produce one
fine blossom. Looking at that one blossom so really beautiful you think
of the numberless equally lovely plants you are going to have from the
seeds. But just as likely as not the seeds will produce plants like the
parent plant.

"So in seed selection the entire plant is to be considered. Is it
sturdy, strong, well sha