The Plant Kingdom: The Cosmic Work of Plants

Age

6-9.

Presentation

Chart 18

ROOTS HOLD THE SOIL

1. Roots holding the soil is the cosmic work of the roots.
2. Roots are like dikes which hold the earth.
3. The roots form terraces on the hillsides, preventing the erosion of soil.
4. The same work that the roots do is done by farmers when they grow crops on the hillsides, by a method called terracing.

Chart 19

The Fountain of Terraces or Cups

1. The brown represents the soil and the blue, water.
2. Some water is retained by the roots of a plant, and water filters through, slowed by the network of roots and soil, gradually working its way to streams and rivers.
3. This principle of slowing the descent of water on the mountainside has been used in terraced gardens which work like this fountain of cups.