VI 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



The unripe ends of roots do not imbibe . ... . . .17 



Formation of the ends of roots 17 



Ends of roots consist only of bark, which is the descending, not the 



ascending, conduit . , .18 



Experiments in proof .19 



Seedlings are not nourished by their roots till the roots become 



woody, but by the seed 19 



Symmetrical growth on root of horse-chestnut . . . .20 



Twin oaks 20 



That a radish is fed only by its end a fallacy . . . . .21 

 Experiments in proof ......... 22 



That branches are the same length as roots a fallacy, and that the 



ends of branches drip on to the ends of roots a fallacy . . .26 

 Branches shorter than roots, and the drip is through them, not out- 

 side them 27 



Form of the root a flat circle, like a wheel ; form of the head a 



globular circle, like a ball -27 



The head robs the root of a little rain, but more than repays this by 

 condensation .......... 28 



Rain and condensation are often shed inwards or towards the stem . 31 

 Argument from the ' Gardener's Chronicle ' considered . . .32 

 The spade the destroyer of wall-fruit trees . . . , .33 



Unphilosophicar remedies 34 



That roots absorb only by sponges or capillary stomata at their ends 

 a scientific vulgar error ......... 35 



Whether this is true or not of vital importance to transplanting . 36 

 Ends of roots to a tree what children are to a commonwealth . . 36 



CHAPTER II. 



COURSE OF THE SAP FROM THE ROOT TO THE LEAF, 

 AND BACK TO THE ROOT. 



Course of the upward sap through the whole of the wood . . 38 

 The upward sap goes through the heart-wood ; proof by experiment 39 

 And through the sap-wood ; proof by example . . . .40 

 By what mechanical power is the upward sap raised ? . . .41 

 Where is the sap elaborated ? Whence the new growth in girth- 



ing deposited ? 43 



Sap supjjosed to be elaborated in the leaf 44 



Growth in girthing supposed to be deposited from this elaborated sap 



in returning down the bark ........ 44 



