THE ROOT, OB DB8CMPTIVE AXIS. 



(Boutinulng to advance, send down other roots, which in turn become columns similar 

 to trunks, until a, single tree becomes a grove capable of sheltering an army of men. 



138. The Mangeotb (Ehizopora), of *he West Indies, sends down axial roots 

 from its bmnohes. The seed germinates before detached, sending down its long 

 radical until it roaches the mud in which these trees grow. Thus the young planti 

 i;iin a firm standing before quitting their hold of the parent tree. 



139. To FAVOR THE DEVELOPMENT OP ADVENTITIOUS ROOTS on any particular 

 part, keep that part in contact with moist soil "We often observe such roots to aris3 

 naturally, in prostrate branches or stems, at those points which touch the ground. 

 In slips, cuttings, &c, the same thing occurs artificially. Hence to increase the 

 roots of the potato vine, or com, heap the earth against the stems. The madder 

 plant, which is cultivated solely for the rich coloring matter in its roots, is success- 

 fully treated in no other way. Its adventitious roots are excessively multiplied by 

 •deep spading and high " hilling." 



140. To PRODUCE DWAEP TREES it is Only necessary, by any contrivance, to re- 

 tain a quantity of moist earth against the base of tho selected brancli until it 

 strikes root. Afterwards it may be severed from the tree and transferred to the 

 soil. (Fig. 40, d). 



141. Axial and inaxial roots in aobiculture. This distinction 

 must never be lost sight of. Tho former strike deep, anchor firmly, and 

 draw their nourishment from the lower strata of the soil. Tho latter 

 abide near the surface, and feed upon the upper soil. Hence let us learn 



a. Which class of crops requires deep and which shallow tillage : 

 5. Which should succeed each other in the rotation of crops ; 

 c. Which may be sown together in the mixture of crops. 



142. To TRANSFORM A TAP-ROOT TO A FIBROUS. At a certain distance below the 

 ooUum sever the tap-root without otherwise disturbing the plant. The consequem* 

 will be an increased growth of the lateral or fibrous roots nearer the surface of the 

 ground. 



87. Old onk tnink wHh horizontal broiicli bearing epiphytes and 

 parasites, il, A fern (Polypodium incanum). 6, Epldendrum con- 

 opseiim). cc. Long moss (Tillandsia). c7, Misseltoe (ViscnmX 

 e, Lichen. 



143. Epiphytes {em, upon, (pvrov, a plant), a 

 class of plants, called also air-plants, have roots 

 which are merely mechanical, serving to fix such 



