82 



DRY-FARMING 



Fig. 22. Wheat roots. 



ground is likewise re- 

 tarded, and crop failure 

 may result. The impor- 

 tance of roots is not fully 

 api^reciated because they 

 are hidden from direct 

 view. Successful dry- 

 farming consists, largely, 

 in the ado]3tion of prac- 

 tices that facilitate a full 

 and free development of 

 plant roots. Were it not 

 that the nature of arid 

 soils, as exj^lained in pre- 

 ceding chapters, is such 

 that full root develop- 

 ment is comparati^'ely 

 easj', it would probalDl}' 

 be useless to attemj.it to 

 establish a system of dry- 

 farming. 



Kinds of roots 



The root is the part of 

 the ].)lant that is found 

 underground. It has nu- 

 merous branches, twigs, 

 and filaments. The root 



