;78 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[lo May, 1909. 



Root System. 



A well -developed root-system is the foundation of success, provided, 

 the development is in the dinection of making the most of the opportuni- 

 ties presented ; and, for this to obtain, a firm seed bed is essential- 

 Naturaily, the quick-growing varieties must have plenty of plant food at 

 hand, and this is found chiefly in the surface soil, where the drainage is- 

 best. Again, a vigorous root-svstem. whert^ the rootlets branch frequently 

 and present numerous growing points, encourages, rapid development and 



ripening. Varieties with stronger root- 

 systems are not dependent only on the 

 plant food near the surface, but are 

 able to penetrate to the lower layers 

 of the soil and subsoil ; sometimes, 

 when the subsoil is in a healthy 

 condition, penetrating it for a distance 

 of several feet. These strong-rooted 

 varieties are later in ripening, and, should 

 they have the tillering quality pronounced,, 

 are irregular in ripening, and are for that 

 reason sown thicker, in order to hasten the 

 ripening and make it more even. The 

 roots do not, perhaps, obtain much nourish- 

 ment from the subsoil, but by good 

 tillage the moisture stored in it sup- 

 plies the richer surface soil with the- 

 means which enable the greater number 

 of the .rootlets to perform their functions 

 unchecked. Irrespective of the check 

 caused by the inability of the roots to- 

 properly perform their functions, owing, 

 to in.sufficiencv of moisture, the develop- 

 3. oKAiN 1 ROM riiK KAR OK A ment of the plant receives other checks by 

 PROLIFIC CLUBBED CROSSBRED, ^he drying of the root-hairs and by the 

 Arran-eri as taken from the spikeiet, 95 Snapping and bruising of the rootlets, due 

 Krains of the 98 . showing ;r,r, rachis and to the Contraction of the soil that has lost 



part of upper interiioue lUubtrating- the , „ . 



solid straw. much ot its moisture. 



It is advisable to dwell a little on the question of root-development, for 

 on it depends to a considerable degree the prolificacy of a variety ; and 

 an appreciation of soil physics as applied to farm practice may then be 

 more readily attained. In dry districts, where the soil is good, the con- 

 servation of moisture is a dominant factor ; and, generally, the greater the- 

 thoroughness with which the work is done, the greater the success. Where 

 the foliage is abundant, it is still more essential that thorough cultivation 

 should fie carried out and thus a good supply of moi.sture made available, 

 otherwise the hot winds of early summer have too much surface to^ work 

 over, with unfortunate results as regards the yield. Such varieties are 

 more suited for districts ha\ing a good rainfall and a genial rijiening 

 season. Strong flag- development, especially in the later stages of growth, 

 is not advantageous in dry districts and it is frequently associated with 

 good tillering properties, which are also, as a rule, a disadvantage in these 

 districts. During the early stages of the growth of a wheat plant, an- 

 abundance of leaves naturally manufactures much starch and other 



