Horticulture. 



36 



[Jan. 1907, 



Elm, for instance, the presence of this faecal matter in the soil is very pronounced, 

 and in all cases where certain species have occupied the ground for a long period, 

 it is a consideration not to be lightly disregarded by the planter. 



As a rule, and under normal conditions, the advance of the roots is in ratio 

 to the extension of head growth, a provision of Nature by which, in the case of 

 densely-headed evergreens, no deprivation of moisture obtains. In this case, indeed, 

 frequently in evidence among the Coniferge, the dust dryness of the surface soil 

 within the area of the branches demonstrates the natural method of applying water, 

 viz., to those roots (spongioles) which alone have the power to imbibe it, the 

 connecting roots with the trunk, which in this case are embedded in an ultra arid 

 medium, being merely conduits for conveying the fluid. Here, obviously, with 

 artificial watering the place of application should be at the limit of branch 

 extension. Probably no harm resulted from the thorough soaking we once saw 

 given to a number of specimen Conifenw, the dryness of the soil area protected 

 by the branches being sufficient cause of anxiety to the owner to result in the 

 peremptory orders for a couple of barrels of water to be given to each right up to 

 the stems. It was simply a waste of labour and liquid which might have been 

 employed to advantage elsewhere. 



Among exceptions to this natural rule, or law, are those cases of cultiva- 

 tion in which surface mulching under moist conditions induces top root action 

 over the whole area. These, however, are superficial conditions which, once 

 induced, require periodical attention to maintain, although it may not be forgotten 

 that such may occur independent of human agency, for the many moods of Nature 

 appear to be very conflicting unless due recognition is given to the fact that 

 she is ever striving to adapt her subjects to varying circumstances and divers 

 conditions of life. 



During the transplanting of some fine specimen Rhododendrons some years 

 ago in order to widen a woodland walk, on the margin of which they had been 

 planted, it was discovered that those with thinly disposed branches, in which 

 rain had not only been freely admitted, but a certain amount of natural top- 

 dressing had been going on with decaying leaf matter, feeding fibrous roots were 

 in evidence right up to the stem, and these specimens were removed with com- 

 parative ease and safety. Such, however, was not the case with the dense headed 

 bushes under which dry soil conditions prevailed. These lifted with a heavy 

 fringe of roots corresponding in circumference to the circular outline of the plants, 

 between which and the main stem but a few thongs formed the connecting link> 

 and owing to the non-retentive nature of the soil and the absence of fibrous roots 

 to bind it within the area of branch extension, the care and labour involved was 

 a serious matter, and some of the finest plants were wrecked during removal. 



With regard to the creation or encouragement of what may be termed 

 superficial roots by mulching or moisture previously noticed, the evil attendant 

 on mere surface waterings of delicate rooting subjects during dry weather claims 

 passing mention. In the matter of tender seedlings, that most delicate stage of 

 vegetable life after germination, the natural instinct of the root is to go down 

 to penetrate the soil, and mere surface sprinklings by which the embryo plant is 

 deluded from the way it should go, and coaxed into emitting hyper-sensitive 

 feeding organs from the crown of the root, if it may be so termed, to perish as 

 moisture disappears, with a contemporaneous arrest of vertical progress, is, to 

 say the least, injurious, and often fatal. Yet it conveys a lesson difficult for 

 ama eurs to grasp; those, at least, who love the sprinkling business on summer 

 evenings. One good soaking when required will do incalculable good, which, split 

 |utO a score of sprinklings extended over as many days* is able to account fof 



