98 The Root. [March, 



to fix itself in the soil, and the other to ascend into the air ; one, 

 to seek the light — and of course the elements therein furnished ; 

 the other, darkness, and the elements contained in the soil. The 

 living embryo starting in germination from a common point, it pro- 

 ceeds in growth — throughout its development — in two opposite di- 

 rections. And thus far, amid the numerous curious and interesting 

 speculations, as to the cause of this phenomenon, no better reason 

 can be assigned, than that God so ordained. The descending axis 

 is denominated the root, and the ascending, the stem. And what- 

 ever may be the position given to the plant, whether plunged deep 

 into the earth, or placed near the surfice, this axillary point from 

 which emanate the vital forces, remains unalterably fixed ; so that 

 mere position, in reference to soil, is no test of the nature and name 

 of the part of the plant, whether it be root or stem. And no vari- 

 ation of position, can by any manner of means, change the charac- 

 ter of either. Men may speculate and theorize as they please, the 

 stem and the root are distinct in their form, character, functions and 

 growth. But of the root we are more especially to speak. 



Roots perform the twofold ofiice of supports or stays, enabling the 

 whole vegetable organism to resist the action of such physical agents 

 as the wind, and to supply fluids for the nourishment, maturation, 

 growth and fructification of the plant, after having carried them 

 upward to the atmosphere and sunlight to be elaborated by the leaves. 

 One of the most marked characteristics of the root, is, that it does 

 not turn green in its external tissues, upon being exposed to the ac- 

 tion of light and air, whereas the various parts of the ascending 

 axis do. 



It is nevertheless true, that, although the branch or plumule can 

 not become a root, nor the root a branch, yet the former may devel- 

 op roots, and the latter buds and leaves, and consequently branches ; 

 and upon this property of stem and root, is founded the practice 

 now so much resorted to, of propagating by slips and layers — 

 the utility and wisdom of which, is very questionable. We are 

 fully aware with what facility the willow, poplar, and Angier-quince, 

 may thus be propagated by layers, and how nature accommodates 

 herself to circumstances, yet to say such course is advisable, and 

 most worthy our confidence, we apprehend a few more years' expe- 

 rience in dwarf pear culture, and infinitesimal root grafting, will 

 abundantly attest. The assertion was recently made before the Cin- 

 cinnati Horticultural Society — exciting the surprise, and staggering 



