CHAPTER III 

 THE WORK OF ROOTS 



What is the function of the root? Find six healthy 

 plants of about the same height. By an oblique cut 

 sever the main roots of three of these about half an 

 inch below ground, disturbing the earth as little as 

 possible. It will be necessary to support the plants 

 by tying them to a stick thrust into the soil (Fig. 72). 

 This calls attention to one important function of the 

 root, namely, to anchor the plant in the 

 soiP. What sort of root is best adapted 

 to anchor the plant firmly, a straight, 

 deep root or a shallow, spreading one 1 

 What plants are hardest to pull up ? Ex- 

 plain why this is so. What kinds of 

 trees are most easily uprooted ; why ? 



Examine the injured plants every day 

 and note any abnormal symptoms. Notice 



1 The roots of Carrot, Bulbous Buttercup and many 

 other plants (especially such as grow in crevices of rocks, 

 or such as hug the ground) contract when full grown and 

 pull the plant down some distance into the soil. The tips 

 of many Blackberry vines, which take root in contact with 

 the soil, are soon drawn beneath the surface by the con- "^- ^'*'^' attached 

 traction of the roots. Make observations on this point. to have'the^ root 

 What advantage in this action of the root ? cut off. 



(87) 



