322 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 
FIELD DAY AT CROMWELL, CONN. 
HPHE members of the National Association of Gar- 
deners and the American Association of Park 
Superintendents that journeyed to Cromwell Gardens. 
Cromwell. Conn., on June 21, to participate in the Field 
Day arranged for the members of the two named asso- 
ciations by A. N. Pierson, Inc., found the occasion a 
most delightful one and one full of much interest. 
The Experimental Rose Garden at Cromwell Gardens 
The visitors who came from many points were met 
at the railroad stations, as their trains arrived at Hart- 
ford and Middletown, by representatives of the A. N. 
After luncheon the party proceeded to Cromwell 
Gardens, where they were received by A. N. Pierson, 
who welcomed them to the establishment of the com- 
pany over which he is the head. The various depart- 
ments were next inspected, which included the out- 
door gardens, greenhouse ranges, dairy, etc. 
The rose garden, which presented a fine spectacle, 
proved the center of attraction, although the visitors 
found much to interest them in 
the different outdoor depart- 
ments. The rock garden, which 
is now under course of construc- 
tion, came in for its share of 
attention. 
The visit through the large 
range of greenhouses, some 600 
feet in length and 80 feet in 
width, was also enjoyed by the 
visiting gardeners, where roses, 
carnations and chrysanthemums 
were found in fine shape. Many 
other varieties of flowering and 
foliage plants are grown by this 
company under glass, all of 
which were inspected with much 
interest. 
This visit to Cromwell Gar- 
dens was not alone instructive, 
but full of good fellowship, as it 
brought man\- members of the 
gardening craft together from 
points adjacent to Xew York and 
Lioston, while Lenox and New 
London were also well repre- 
sented. 
Entrance to Rock Garden al Cromwell Gardens. 
Pierson, Inc.. and were entertained at luncheon at one 
of the hotels in Middletown, where they were greeted 
by Wallace R. Pierson. 
THE ROOTS OF A PLANT. 
(Continued from page 321.) 
great number of short branches provided with many root- 
lets, so that the entire absorbing system is limited to a 
small area. 
Some plants naturally produce a very fibrous root sys- 
tem and have many small roots with root hairs, and this 
class of plants will withstand transplanting with less loss. 
But suppose we are handling some other kinds of plants, 
as, for example, the nut tree, such as the walnut or hick- 
ory. These trees do not naturally develop a fibrous root 
system, but have a single long tap root which extends 
deep into the soil. Suppose we destroy this, as is done in 
transplanting. What happens? In the great majority of 
cases, especially when the tree is over a year old, it dies, 
and you ask why ? It is because the small roots are lim- 
ited, and in removing the tree all of them have been lost 
or such a large per cent, that the plant cannot survive. 
So, in view of these facts, plants with tap roots must be 
treated in special ways to avoid such a great shock to the 
plant. This is the reason why all such trees must be 
transplanted several times, beginning when they are very 
small — not over a year old — and continuing transplanting 
every year or so until they are set in their permanent 
place. By repeated transplanting the tap root is broken 
when very small, and then sends out side roots which take 
its place. After such treatment the side roots form a 
fibrous root system and the number of feeding roots is 
greatlv enlarged, and consequently the plant can with- 
stand transplanting and not be killed. This tends to pro- 
duce a ball of roots comparatively close to the plant, and 
in transplanting a greater number of the small roots are 
saved. — Fruit Grower. 
