170 



SOILS. 



Missouri and also in the wild grape vine of California. It \vill 

 be noted at once that the latter directs its cord-like roots almost 

 vertically from the first, until it reaches a depth varying- from 

 12 to 1 8 inches, where it begins to branch more freely, but still 

 with a strong downward tendency in all. The roots of the 

 riverside grape, on the contrary, tend to spread almost hori- 

 zontally, branching freely at the depth of a few inches and 



BIPARIX HMrr de Monlp 



y months old . 

 Sr. Hclrna, 



FIG. 30. Root Growth of Resistant Grape Vines. 



manifestly deriving its supply both of plant-food and moisture 

 mainly from the surface soil. It is curious to observe the 

 behavior of this vine when cuttings arc planted in California 

 vineyards as a resistant grafting-stock. Its first roots are 

 sent out horizontally, very much a^ is its habit in the East, so 

 long as the soil moisture is maintained near the surface. But 

 as the season advances, the more suprrlicial rootlets are first 

 thrown out of action by the advancing dryness and heat of the 

 surface soil, and many finally die the first year. 



