DIFFRENT PARTS OF A TREE. 29 



ART. 2. On the Root. 



The roots of trees are the principal channels by 

 which the food is extracted from the soil and con- 

 veyed to every part of the tree. And hence it 

 is very evident that they should be placed in a soil 

 that contains nutriment, and of a consistence adapted 

 to their nature which will be found to be different 

 in different kinds. The fibrous roots being the 

 mouths or those parts which imbibe the nutriment .of 

 the tree, it should therefore be the object of the 

 cultivator to use every means in cultivating the soil 

 about the base of young trees, in a manner to en- 

 courage the growth of roots as much as possible. 

 It is a fact I believe to be but little known, that in 

 many cases roots of trees are much injured in culti- 

 vating around them by deep ploughings, and work- 

 ing with a spade ; in this working about trees the 

 roots are often cut off, or bruised in a manner very 

 injurious to them. In this way the bark is often bruised 

 so that the roots are wounded for several years, 

 and in a state of incipient decay, and hence the tree 

 makes a tardy and weakly growth. Trees should 

 be worked about the roots with a pronged fork or 

 instrument, that will not cut or injure them. It 

 will be needless here to say that the soil about trees 

 should be well manured and worked, in order that 

 they may knit and grow freely into the soil. 



In all cases young trees should be grown in such 

 a soil and situation, that the roots may extend 

 themselves freely when young ; and here I must 

 beg leave a little to deviate from the old proverbial 

 phrase, u as the branches are inclined so the free is 



