46 



EXPERLMExXT STATION. 



[Jan. 



sijecimens arrived at this laboratory they were spread out on the 

 Hoor and measured. This was done by Mr. R. D. Whitmarsh, 

 and was accomplished by laying out on the floor sections 5 feet 

 in length. The number of roots in each 5-foot section was 

 counted. This was multiplied by the length of the secti(jn and 

 the whole tabulated (see table). The mass of roots was just 

 61 feet long, and the total length is 8,498 feet, equal to 1.61 

 miles in length. Adding to this the numerous small roots, which 

 range from a few to several inches in length, and which were 

 disregarded in our section count, the total length was estimated 

 to be over 2 miles. This enormous development from a single 

 root of a pear tree located 7 feet away is greatly in excess of 

 what would take place if the roots were in the soil, since the 

 conditions of the drain tile stimulate root development very 

 materially. However, the root system of any tree or shrub is far 

 in excess in length and area of what the layman imagines. The 

 profuse growth of roots in water is also seen in cases where old 

 wells become filled with root growth, but the pear tree root in 

 question is one of the best examples which has ever come to our 

 notice of root development in drain tile. 



Table showing the Growlh of Pear Tree Roots in Drain Tile. 



