ROOT PUNCTURED BY ROOT 



IN the issue of this magazine for November, 1911, we pub- 

 hshed a note from Professor Charles E. Bessey regard- 

 ing the puncturing of one root by another, but the ques- 

 tion of how such a condition is brought about is stiU un- 

 solved. The fact that the subterranean runners of the quack 

 grass can penetrate potato tubers and other underground plant 

 parts is well known, but these runners are tipped with sharp 

 points adapted for pushing through the hard earth. With the 

 soft root-tips, it is quite a different matter. However, the fact 

 that roots occasionally do puncture others in this way is shown 

 in the accompanying photograph made from a specimen found 

 by Ray T. Thomson and sent to Professor Bessey in confirma- 

 tion of his original note. This specimen is now preserved in 

 professor Bessey's office. Regarding the root Mr. Thomson 

 says : ''The horse-radish roots were found about August 17, 

 1909, in Orchard, Nebraska. The plants grew in rows eigh- 

 teen to twenty inches apart. The two roots, which penetrated 

 one another, grew from plants in opposite rows and at a depth 

 of six to eight inches. The roots were running almost hori- 

 zontally when they came in contact. The plants grew in a 

 sandy loam soil, which had been well manured. During the 



