28 THE PLANT. 



topmost layer of the soil ; whereas the roots of beets 

 and turnips, sending their ramifications deep into the 

 subsoil, will succeed best in a loose soil of great depth. 

 Still, they will also grow well in soil naturally heavy 

 and compact, which has been properly prepared for 

 their reception. Among turnips, the Swedish variety 

 is distinguished by the numerous fibres which the root- 

 stock sends into the ground ; and mangelwurzel, with 

 its strong and rather woody root-fibres, is still better 

 suited than Swedes for a heavy clay soil. 



On the length of roots but few observations have 

 been made. In some cases it has been found that 

 lucerne will grow roots thirty feet, rape above five feet, 

 clover above six feet, lupine above seven feet in length. 



A proper knowledge of the radication of plants is 

 the groundwork of agriculture ; all the operations 

 which the farmer applies to his land must be adapted 

 to the nature and conditions of the roots of the plants 

 which he wishes to cultivate. On the root he should 

 bestow his whole care ; upon that which grows from it 

 he can no longer exert any influence ; therefore, to 

 secure a favourable result to his labours, he should pre- 

 pare the ground in a proper manner for the develope- 

 ment and action of the roots. The root is not merely 

 the organ through which the growing plant takes up 

 the incombustible elements of food required for its 

 increase, but it may, in another not less important 

 function, be compared to the flywheel in an engine, 

 which gives regularity and uniformity to the working. 

 It is in the root that the material is stored up to supply 

 the growing plant with the needful elements for con- 

 ducting the processes of life, according to the require- 

 ments made upon it by the action of light and heat. 



All plants which give landscapes their peculiar 

 character, and clothe the plains and mountain slopes 

 with perennial green, have an underground develope- 

 ment, according to the geological or physical condition 

 of the soil, admirably adapted to their perennial exist- 

 ence and propagation. 



Whilst annuals are propagated and multiplied by 



