40 



ELEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE 



roots, and the younger portions of main roots are cov- 

 ered with fine thread-like branches that are called root 

 hairs. The little roots are so small and delicate that 

 they are difficult to find. But they may be seen by 

 sprouting radish seed as described in experiment on 



Fig. 5.— Roots of a young 

 corn plant; clustered or 

 crown roots. (Original 

 drawing from photograph.) 



Fig. 6.— Tuberous roots of the sweet 

 potato. (Original drawing from photo- 

 graph.) 



page 36. Fig. 7 A shows a young radish plant sprouted 

 in this way ; the root hairs show like fine threads. Fig. 

 7B shows a young radish plant pulled from the soil." 

 Here the root hairs are covered by particles of soil, and 

 if they are washed off the root hairs are destroyed. The 

 root hairs are delicate tubes through which the plant 

 draws much of its food and water. Fig. 8 shows the 



