SOILS FOR SEED PRODUCTION. 137 



cases, desirable not to turn them under. Before press- 

 ing with the foot, it is thought advisable to throw a 

 certain amount of earth near the neck. This earth 

 should cover the necks to a depth of i, 2i to 3 c. m. 

 (0.39 to 1. 18 inches), with the view of protecting the 

 mothers against the frequent late frosts after planting 

 season. Instead of earth around the necks, it is fre- 

 quently customary to mix the earth with pulverized 

 bone. Hilling up, from time to time, is also advisable. 

 This planting of mothers may be done in France for 

 $2.00 an acre. 



To many it may be a surprise that such a large 

 area, L, M, N, 0*, (Fig. 45) of nine square feet, is 

 necessary, but an inspection of the engraving (Fig. 46) 

 shows the ramifications of mothers during their effort 

 to secure from their environment all the essential 

 elements for the development of stalks, flowers, and 

 seed. These lateral radicles run from the root proper a 

 distance of three feet, so that even allowing the enor- 

 mous volume of earth of a surface area of i^ feet, in 

 all directions, the plant food is drawn from the soil 

 far beyond the prescribed limits previously mentioned, 

 and, such being the case, all the roots of the field are 

 apparently in communication one with the other. It 

 is interesting to note a custom which has led to 

 excellent results, which consists of twisting or break- 

 ing off the lateral and central stalks, it being 

 maintained that this custom favors flowering. 



As these mothers have considerable money value, 

 endless means are frequently resorted to for their 

 protection during seed development; nematode inva- 

 sions might, in some cases, be a serious issue. 

 Hence, the reason why chicory is planted on the outer 



•The Chinese have for hundrefis of years understood the Impor- 

 tunce of these sm.ill roots for many plants which they cultivate. 

 WTien planting bi-annuals, small slices are made in the root proper, 

 thug increasing the number of radicles which soon develop. 



