102 The Root. [March, 



In presenting to our readers our brief chapter on roots, we have 

 endeavored to avoid technicalities, and to present those physiological 

 points necessary to be observed in our daily operations connected 

 therewith ; we have omitted much that is curious, much that is in- 

 teresting, our object being rather to excite attention to these subjects 

 than to give learned disquisitions. 



We are desirous of promoting scientific investigations among our 

 agriculturists and horticulturists, in order that we may sooner or later 

 emerge from the present twilight of speculation, and the guess work 

 of imperfect theories and vaticinations, and enter into the more per- 

 fect sunlight of demonstration and experiment. We desire to see the 

 time, in agricultural and horticultural science, when the present mix- 

 ture of fact and speculation shall give place to a rigid system of in- 

 duction, and when from numerous well selected and properly collated 

 facts, after every phenomenon shall have been carefully weighed and 

 measured there shall be evolved the pure unadulterated truth, that 

 thus we may have solid ground upon which to stand, and with con- 

 fidence take another step. 



HOW TO PLANT A TREE. 



To show in this connection what we mean by uniting theory and 

 practice in agricultural science, we would append some directions for 

 transplanting and setting a tree. 



First remove your tree with care from the position where it has 

 been grown, injuring as little as possible its roots. If it have a tap 

 root, by no means cut it off', as some recommend ; treat the fibrous 

 roots with great attention ; if to be removed to a distant point, they 

 must be put in such condition that they be not bruised, or dried, or 

 frosted; for with all your care they will be injured more or less. 

 Before planting, prepare your ground properly. And here, what does 

 this word, ' properly,' mean ? Many such words in our vocabulary need 

 explanation. First, the ground should be trenched, or subsoiled to the 

 depth of sixteen inches, or two feet. Some say, dig a large deep hole. 

 Large, deep. How large? how deep ! says the practical cultivator. 

 As large and deep as you please, says our instructor. John, the la- 

 borer, finding the ground hard and rocky, is pleased not to dig it very 

 deep. We want no such basins as will be formed on our compact 

 clay subsoil if John is faithful to hia instructions, neither would we 

 have compliance with that other direction, oft accompanying, to fill 



