GROWTH OF ROOTS 



89 



wet, impenetrable lumps have formed under each 

 footprint. If plowed before becoming crumbly the 

 furrow slices may have run together into large cakes 

 I of hard earth. In either event it is uncomfortable 

 for roots, and results in dwarfed growth. A com- 

 mercial tree requires conditions that force activity 

 faster than its wild ancestor grew, and unless those 

 artificial aids are abundantly supplied it will tend 

 to revert to forest habits. Being a product of evo- 

 lution it demands good treatment by modern meth- 

 ods of tillage almost as clearly as a human being re- 

 quires a civilized environment, without which he 

 degenerates with alarming rapidity. Upon aban- 

 doning a fig tree it rapidly becomes scrawny, scaly, 

 sunburnt, frostbitten, attacked by nematodes and in 

 every way shows inability to compete with plants 

 of the wild. As well expect a college professor to 

 continue his habits of life while stranded alone 

 among savages as to think that a commercial fig 

 tree can maintain itself in excellent condition when 

 left to the ravages of primitive vegetation. 



The supply of nitrogen is a most important con- 

 sideration for every farmer. He must learn from 

 the feel of the soil if it is needed, and how and when 

 to add it; it is his first proper concern to acquire 

 methods for maintaining an adequate quantity by 

 economical and efficient tillage with such additions 

 in fertilizers as may become necessary. Potash and 

 phosphorus, comparatively inexpensive, are abund- 

 ant and well retained in the soil without effort. But 



