BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 19 
of growth. Forty-two days after planting, 
when the plants were 18 inches high, the roots 
of two hills met and passed each other in the 
center between rows 42 inches apart, and had 
penetrated to a depth of 18 inches. The sur- 
face roots sloped gently downward toward the 
center, where those nearest to the surface were 
some eight inches deep. At the last cultiva- 
tion, when the plants were nearly three feet 
high, the roots occupied the entire soil to a 
depth of two feet, with the surface roots six 
inches below the center between the rows. At 
tassel time the roots fully occupied the upper 
three feet of soil in the entire field, and in the 
center between the rows the surface roots were 
still higher, a few being scarcely five inches 
deep. At maturity the roots were found pene- 
trating to a depth exceeding four feet and 
within four inches of the surface in the center 
between rows. In connection with this study 
Prof. King estimates that the plants on a well- 
tilled acre are required to pump from below 
during growth from 300 to 400 tons of water. 
The wonderful feeding power of the corn roots 
is shown in this striking development and ac- 
tivity. 
After the corn plant becomes well established 
21d has nearly reached its full height the sec- 
ondary roots come from the stem near the 
ground. They first appear as nodules from 
