CHAPTER IV 



THE TREATMENT OF ROOTS 



§ 14. How should roots be treated in transplanting ? 



In the treatment. of the roots of our cultivated plants, we 

 must first consider what part the root plays in the economy 

 of the plant, and secondly, whether it is of economic value for 

 us. In the case of annuals, it is the rapidly growing absorp- 

 tive and fixing organ ; in perennials, besides absorbing the 

 water contained in the soil, it serves also partially as a store- 

 house for reserve material, which the plant wishes to keep for 

 the next vegetative period. In fleshy or tuberous roots, the 

 storage function lasts for the greater portion of the life of the 

 plant. 



Its chief function is as an organ of absorption for the 

 nutritive solutions of the soil. It is self-evident that, other 

 things being equal, the development of the upper portions 

 of the plant, especially of the assimilating leaves, will depend 

 upon the amount of nutritive substances which are absorbed. 

 Conversely, the greater development of the leaves will result 

 in a greater production of organic matter (assimilated sub- 

 stance), and therefore more of this plastic matter will reach 

 the root system, and supply it with the means for producing 

 new ramifications. 



(a.) A Boot System ivhich has hecn considerably Primed. 



The above-mentioned reciprocity must always be taken into 

 account. If sickly plants with few leaves, or no leaves at all, 

 are able to form new roots, and if, on the other hand, plants 

 with feeble or damaged roots are able to produce new leaves, 

 it is obvious that such a growth must take place at the 



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