On the Roots of Trees. 1 5 i 



which, being deposited, has made a deep, rich soil. The extension of the 

 Ozark Range eastward formed its southern rim, which, in the course of 

 time, was cut through by the erasion of the water that poured over its 

 rocky ledge like Niagara, and the bed of the lake left was dry for culture. 

 Similar action took place over the vast prairie while submerged ; and the 

 ocean-currents, being constant in one direction for long periods, deposited 

 a homogeneous drift of great depth, — to the north a heavy clay, and over 

 the coal-fields a more friable clay-loam. The roots of the grasses and 

 other herbage has filled the surface-soil with vegetable mould {humus), and, 

 to some extent, changed its mechanical texture ; but the subsoil containing 

 the same natural element is also valuable, and suited to the growth of 

 plants, and especially the roots of trees. In such a soil, trees may be 

 broken off by the wind ; but they ai e never turned up by the roots, as we see 

 at the East. If it were not for this downward tendency of root-growth 

 in this soil, no trees could withstand the long summer drought to which 

 they are often exposed. This will explain the loss of newly-set trees 

 after they have made a promising start in the early part of the season. 

 The new roots have not had time to penetrate deep into the moist subsoil, 

 and the trees must die for the want of moisture. In such case, timely 

 mulching would have saved them. The months of August and September 

 are the most trying to newly-set trees. 



This prairie-soil holds water like a sponge ; and, in long-continued sea- 

 sons of rain, the roots are damaged by stagnant water. " Put in tile-drain," 

 says our Eastern friend : " that is our panacea for this evil." All very well : 

 but we have neither the tile, the labor, nor the capital, to spare for the pur- 

 pose ; and we must take advantage of such adventitious circumstances as 

 Nature has thrown in our way. 



Champajgn. iui_ J/. L^ Dunlap. 



(To be continued.) 



