DRY-FARMING 
Fig. 22. Wheat roots. 
ground is likewise re- 
tarded, and crop failure 
_ may result. The impor- 
tance of roots is not fully 
appreciated because they 
are hidden from direct 
view. Successful dry- 
farming consists, largely, 
in the adoption of prac- 
tices that facilitate a full 
and free development of 
plant roots. Were it not 
that the nature of arid 
soils, as explained in pre- 
ceding chapters, is such 
that full root develop- 
ment is comparatively 
easy, it would probably 
be useless to attempt to 
establish a system of dry- 
farming. 
Kinds of roots 
The root is the part of 
the plant that is found 
underground. It has nu- 
merous branches, twigs, 
and filaments. The root 
