OF THE COUNTY OF DOWN. itf, 



the farina, until the firfl root is capable of giving it 

 fupport, which it does until the fecond or coronal root 

 is required i this, then, is at the period the plant begins 

 to obtain the firft joint or approach to culmination 5 as- 

 foon as this root has eftabliftied itfelf, the firft root, be- 

 ing no longer neceflary, dies ; which may be perceived 

 on pulling up a plant after that ftage in its growth ; and 

 which plainly (hews it can be of no further ufe. From 

 this period, therefore, all the functions of fupporting 

 the plant devolve upon the coronal root ; which efta- 

 blifhes itfelf, and feeks its food, nearly on the furface. 

 It is for this reafon that top-dreflings operate to fuch 

 advantage upon all culmiferous plants, which draw 

 their nouriftiment from the very place the manure is 

 laid. Dr. Hunter, of York, who was well acquainted 

 with this diftincYion in roots, does not mention the 

 exact time of putting out the coronal or furface roots, 

 which is exactly at the time the plant begins to Ipindle ; 

 in very early fown wheat, in mild feafons, this fome- 

 times happens before winter, but generally in fpring ; 

 in fpring corn it occurs at the time mentioned. There 

 is a difadvantage, however, attendant on deep covered 

 feed, that never has been adverted to in writing by any 

 perfon, fo far as I have met with, except Dr. Darwin, 

 in that moft ingenious book, his Phytologia ; it is this : 

 the thread, or fine Item, which comes from the feminal 

 root to the furface, the longer it is the greater chance 

 it has of being cut, before the formation of the coronal, 

 02 which 



