86 



The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 



[Vol. XXXV. 



grafting among the roots of similar species 

 in the forests takes place always or does 

 not do so, seems to be unknown. As des- 

 truction of primaeval forests has, in land 

 clearing operations, been taking place all 

 over the country for a great length of time, 

 one might expect that agricultural and for- 

 •estry works would cover this point. Such, 

 so far as I can learn, is not the case. The 

 extensive root grafting of some conifers 

 on the Pacific Coast ,has, however, forced 

 itself on the attention of foresters and 

 others. It has been noted in Douglas Fir 

 and in AVestern Hemlock {Tsuga hetero- 



phylla (Raf.) Sargent). Mr. W. R. Carter, 

 Assistant Biologist, British Columbia Pro- 

 vincal Museum, Victoria, B. C, has in- 

 formed me that on some of the coastal 

 areas of the West Coast of Vancouver Is- 

 land, wind, or other erosion, has disclosed 

 continuity in root systems of Western 

 Hemlock and other coniferous trees. This 

 continuity of roots is often exposed to view 

 for three or four ^lundred yards at a time. 

 Others have spoken of the root-graftage of 

 tlie hemlock impeding land-clearing opera- 

 tions! There does not appear to be any 

 record whether the Hemlock root or stump 



F'lfr. 4: Doiifihis fii .stmii|)s completely f-apped over \>y loot-iiuion with a foster tree. 

 The roots from the foster tree are seen stretc-hiiifj; through the centre of the 

 j^roiip of stumps, some of which were united by firaftage of their tap roots 

 with the under-lying roots from the big tree. The stumps on the outside of 

 the group had iio direct root graft with the foliage-possessing tree, but only 

 indirect graft with those which had. Locality, Goblstream Road, Colwood, Es- 

 (juimalt district, X'ancouver Islam], B.C. 



