The Story -Book of the Fields 



the same level are all of equal importance. 

 This is a fasciculated root. 



Generally the development of the root 

 corresponds with that of the stem. The oak, 

 the elm, the sycamore, the beech, and all our 

 large trees, have a strong, deep root to sup- 

 port their enormous branches and defend 

 them from the gusts of the wind. But there 

 are some humble plants, the roots of which 

 are quite out of proportion to the rest of the 

 plant— a tap root stronger than that of many 

 other plants that are more highly developed 

 in their visible portion. Such are the mallow, 

 the radish, and the carrot. The lucerne sup- 

 ports its scanty tuft of foliage by a root which 

 penetrates to a depth of two or three yards. 



One agricultural operation of the greatest 

 interest depends partly on the excessive 

 development of certain roots. The plant is a 

 laboratory where the filth of our stables and 

 poultry-yards is converted into food. At the 

 pleasure of the cultivator, a load of dung, 

 by passing through some plant, is trans- 

 formed into vegetables, fruit, or bread. This 

 manure is a very precious substance, which 

 nothing can replace, and which must be 

 utilised to the last morsel ; for all our food 

 depends upon it. We will suppose that the 



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