THE ROOT THE FORMS OF ROOTS 



37 



iwnform or habit of root (Fig. 39). Carefully wash away 

 the soil from the roots of any two related plants, as oats 

 and wheat, and note the differences in size, depth, direc- 

 tion, mode of branching, num- 

 ber of fibrils, color, and other 



FIG. 39. ROOTS OF BARLEY AT A AND CORN AT B. 

 Carefully trace the differences. 



features. The character of the root system often governs 

 the treatment that the farmer should give the soil in which 

 the plant or crop grows. 



Roots differ not only in their form and habit, but also in 

 color of tissue, character of bark or rind, and other features. 

 It is excellent practice to try to identify different plants by 

 means of their roots. Let each pupil bring to school two 

 plants with the roots very carefully dug up, as cotton, 

 corn, potato, bean, wheat, rye, timothy, pumpkin, clover, 

 sweet pea, raspberry, strawberry, or other common plants. 



Root Systems of Weeds. Some weeds are pestiferous 

 because they seed abundantly, and others because their 

 underground parts run deep or far and are persistent. 

 Make out the root systems in the six worst weeds in your 

 locality. 



