420 



THE HOT-HOUSE. 



[MAY 



ate from the common centre as in Fig. 42. In the next figure, 43, 

 is represented a tree circumscribed by the limits of pot culture. In* 



Fig. 42, 



Fig. 43. 





Fig. 44. 



the former, the roots are extending in all directions, near the sur- 

 face, in search of food ; in the latter they have a direct tendency 

 downwards, where they neither can derive food, nor from their posi- 

 tion have the same effect as the former, in maintaining the perpen- 

 dicular position of the tree. 



The next figure, 44> 

 shows the state of a fruit 

 or forest tree, subjected in 

 early life to pot culture; 

 where the roots have been 

 most confined and contort- 

 ed, the supply of sap 

 thrown into the tree im- 

 mediately above them has 

 been limited and irregular, 

 as seen by the smaller and 

 irregular portions of the 

 annular rings in the trans- 

 verse section of the trunk; 

 whereas again, where the 

 root a has had the means 

 of penetrating deeper into 

 the soil, and consequently 

 been able to collect a great- 

 er amount of sap food, the annular rings above are larger, and more 

 uniform in size. Sickliness, deformity, and premature death are the 

 result. Great care should be employed in planting such a specimen^ 

 to disentangle and spread the roots carefully. 



