THE ROOT 



75 



Roots of this sort are commonly known as fibrous 

 roots. 



"As a general rule, the growth of the root keeps 

 pace with that of the stem or trunk. Thus the oak, 

 elm, maple, 

 beech, and all 

 our large trees 

 have a vigorous, 

 deep - growing A J 

 root as anchor- 

 age for the enor- 

 mous sup er- 

 structure, to 

 brace it firmly 

 against the wind. 

 But there is no 

 lack of lowly 

 herbage that has 

 roots quite out 

 of proportion to 

 the other parts, 

 — veritable tap-roots of greater size and vigor than 

 many a plant of far greater aerial development can 

 boast. To this class belong the mallow, carrot, and 

 radish. Lucerne has for support to its meager foli- 

 age a root that bores two or three meters into the 

 ground. 



"An agricultural practice of supreme interest is 

 based, at least partly, on the excessive development 

 of certain roots. The plant is a laboratory where 

 life converts into nutritive matter the manure from 



Roots 



