CHAPTER V 



THE ROOTS OF THE HEVEA 



^ I "HE roots of a tree are not inferior in importance to any 

 JL other part of its bodily structure, and the intelligence 

 which they display in avoiding or overcoming obstacles and in 

 extending themselves in the one direction in which water is to 

 be found, has often been remarked upon. So much is this the 

 case that the late Dr Oliver Wendell Holmes once described a 

 tree as an intelligent animal with its tail in the air. 



The roots of the Hevea present the appearance of a series 

 of brown branches. The main or tap-root is a continuation of 

 the original rootlet of the seedling, which sends out numerous 

 branches lateral roots as its growth proceeds. The lateral, 

 or, as the planter would say, " feeder " roots, have as their 

 main purpose, in addition to assisting in the support of the 

 stem and branches of the tree, the supplying in a state of solu- 

 tion of those various chemical elements necessary for the build- 

 ing up of the structure of the tree which are not manufactured 

 by the leaves directly from the atmosphere. These lateral 

 roots may be confined largely to the surface in stiff, clay soils, 

 or in soils badly-drained and aerated, and soil-wash or drought 

 then hit the tree with force. In permeable, well-aerated soils 

 one may find, as it were, four or five successive layers of lateral 

 roots springing from the tap-root, the lowest at a good depth, 

 so that the tree is better defended against the above dangers, 

 while it is manifest that a much more extended feeding-ground 

 is at command, a condition leading to better growth and 

 ultimately, of course, to a higher yield of latex. The tap-root 

 reaches down deep into the soil, and serves the double purpose 

 of securely anchoring the tree in the soil, and of absorbing and 

 acting as a conduit for the water-supplies so necessary to the 

 growth of the tree. The older portions of the root-system are 

 covered by bark which prevents the absorption of water, but 



