Fig. 3. Set B. Wheat plants on July 14, i. e. 45 days after sowing. Order: 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 
8, 7, 10, 9, 12, 11, from left to right. 
At the time of washing the roots of the plants great difference was 
observed in the texture of the soil in the pots watered from below and in 
those watered from above. In the latter case the soil was compact to 
a depth of five or six inches from the surface, whereas the soil underneath 
was in a loose condition, showing that the movement of free water was 
confined to the top 6 in. and that the capillary movement of soil moisture 
was much better in this part than in the loose soil below. In the former 
case the soil was loose to a depth of 2 in. or 3 in. from the surface, but was 
compact below. The growth of the roots is much better in the compact 
zone on account of better movement of soil moisture. This explains, to 
a considerable extent, why the growth of the roots and shoots is greater 
when the pots are watered from below. 
It is recognized that the observations here described are of a somewhat 
preliminary nature ; but circumstances prevented the work being carried 
farther. 
Kharak Singh. — Development of Root System of Wheat. 359 
and above was less marked than in the first experiment. The difference 
in the root system in the three kinds of soils, with manure and without, is of 
interest. In the loamy soil it was significant, but decreased with the growth. 
In sand it was very large. In brick-powder the manure did not seem to 
have had any effect. In sand without manure there was considerable 
spreading of the roots in the deeper layers, which was apparent even in the 
early stage. The plants do not appear to thrive in brick-powder under 
any conditions. 
