92 



later roots from the nodes of the stalk higher'up ar^ i^.mch hai-^^r in 

 diameter than tlie earlier ones at the start, but grow vertically down- 

 Avard and diminish in si/e. The larger diameter of these " brace 

 roots "" at the ui)]:)er end enables them to aid more poAverfnlly in keep- 

 ing- the stalk erect. The roots of the first two or three whorls often 

 die before the stalk ripens, leaving the later and larger roots to supply 

 the plant with nourishment. The feeding capacity of the root system 

 dei)ends on the number of active '' sucking cells through which the 

 plant food is al)^()rbed." These cells are located on the few inches 

 near the ends of all the prinniry and secondary roots. The secondary 

 roots are very nnich more numerous than the primary, and have a 

 inucli greater d(M'elo])ment near the surface of the soil, so t1n;t the 

 ])rincii)al j^art of the root system is al)ove the depth of 12 inches. 



AppVtcnt'ion of these facfx to the enlti ration of eorn (pp. 10-20). — 

 The statements and diagrams serve to explain the practical applica- 

 tions of the observations rei)ortecl to the cultivation of corn. They 

 indicate that while it is desirable to clear away the weeds which take 

 out of the soil nourishment needed by the useful plant, and while 

 cutting the roots of the first shoots may have a tendency to make the 

 mass of roots more compact, and deep cultivation may do some good 

 by thoroughly stirring the soil, yet that on the whole su.ch cultivation 

 is to l)e preferred as will stir the soil thoroughly but not dee[)ly 

 enough to cut many corn roots, cut the weeds l)etween the rows and 

 cover those in the hill, hill the corn sufficiently to aid the upper roots 

 in making a strong growth, and leave a "" dust blanket " or " dirt 

 nndch " 2 to 4 inche-j thick entirely across the space between the rows. 

 One of the most serious objections to the deej) cultivator shovel is 

 that with it the thoughtless farm laborer, believing in " thorough 

 tillage." and snpi)osing that the more he loosens the soil under the 

 corn the better work he is doing, cuts man^^ roots and robs the plant 

 of ])art of its means of feeding. Diagrams show how diiferent culti- 

 vators leave tlie dirt and how they cut or do not cut the roots. 



Field testi't of deep r,^. sludloic enlture (pp. 20-27). — Twenty-four 

 one-tenth-acre i)lats Avere set apart for a trial of deep y.y. shallow cul- 

 ture, to continue one or more years. Implements loaned by five 

 manu.facturers were employeil. The corn was planted in hills and 

 drills and with ;> lister (/. e. combined plow or '' stirrer " of the stub- 

 ble and corn ])Ianter). The plats were harrowed (those listed once, 

 the others twice), and.Avere cultivated four times. The effectiveness 

 of each cultivator in kee]nng the several plats clean and the average 

 yields per acre from the several Avays of planting and cultivating are 

 shown in tal)les. and connnents are made on the advantages of each of 

 the cultivarors used. The results in 1S88 Avere unfavoral)le to listing, 

 but the experiments must be repeated before definite conclusions can 

 be draAvn. 



Textx of root-pniiiiiKj <ind hilliiK/ (pj). 2T. 28). — ScA'en small plats 

 Avere treated alike, except that on thret' of them. " after the last ploAv- 



