Inspecting a Root System 



Should a question arise in Mr. Burbank's mind as to why 



a particular plant is not thriving just as it ought, he may "go 



to the root of the matter" in a literal sense, to see if he can find out 



what is wrong. Of course such an examination must be made very 



carefully, and it is not to be recommended as regular treatment for 



many plants, but on occasion it may be of service to dig into the 



ground beside the plant, and find out how its roots are getting 



on. A young plant with defective roots is in precisely 



the position of a child with very bad teeth, it 



cannot possibly get proper nourishment. 



