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the roots of two species washed out in 1884 have been again 
examined for the purpose of verifying and supplementing 
the notes then made. Several experiments intended to add 
to our knowledge of root growth have also been carried on,. 
some of which are reported. 
The soil on which the vegetables examined were grown 
is a fertile clay loam to the depth of six to ten inches, resting 
on a tenacious subsoil of gravelly clay. 
BEAN. 
In a plant of the Scarlet Runner bean, of which the roots 
were washed out Aug. 18, the deeper roots extended to the 
depth of twoand a half feet, and the longer horizontal ones 
a distance of at least four feet. A few roots grew within 
one inch of the surface, but the great majority were between. 
two and eight inches deep. At the time of the examina- 
tion, the plant was in full bloom, and the stems were about 
four feet high. 
It thus appears that the root system was fully as exten- 
sive as the part above ground, if not more so. The long 
distance to which the horizontal roots reach indicate that 
except on very rich ground it would hardly be wise to place. 
the hills nearer than four feet apart each way. Even at, 
this distance, the roots would extend from one hill quite to 
the next, so that the soil would be occupied by the roots of 
two hills at the same time. It also appears that cultivation. 
late in summer, that extended more than two inches deep, 
would sever many of the roots. 
In a plant of Boston Dwarf Wax bean, washed out the: 
same day as the above, the deeper roots were traced to the 
depth of two feet, and the horizontal ones extended quite 
as far on either side. The root system was very similar in 
kind to that of the Scarlet Runner, but decidedly less ex- 
tensive. The plant examined was approaching maturity.. 
CORN SALAD. 
In a plant of Corn Salad, or Fetticus, of which the roots: 
were washed out August 13, the root system was found to- 
be different in some respects from that of any other plant 
examined. It appeared to be as concentrated as that of the 
onion, but unlike that in the almost infinite number of the 
ub-divisions of the fibers. It was clearly a tap rooted 
plant, but the tap root was soon lost in its numerous sub- 
divisions. The roots as they left the crown of the plant. 
were both numerous and slender, and they continually 
divided and sub-divided until a hair-like mat was the result. 
