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THE NEARNESS OF FIBROUS ROOTS TO THE SURFACE OF THE SOIL. 
In almost all the examinations of roots, the nearness to 
which the fibres approach to the surface was remarked. On 
Aug. 11 the soil between two rows of sweet corn was ex- 
amined with special reference to this subject, and the roots 
were found to be numerous within an inch of the surface. 
An examination with the microscope showed that these 
shallow roots were clothed with live root-hairs, which 
shows that they were then active. On Aug. 14 the soil was 
examined on the south side of a plat of a tall growing, 
southern corn—the point most fully exposed to the sun’s 
rays. At the depth of half an inch, a root the sizeofa = 
stalk of timothy grass left the stem, and proceeded directly s. 
towards the south, giving off numerous branches and con- 
tinuing at this depth for a considerable distance, or as far 
as traced. In plants of tobacco examined the same day, 
roots were found almost to protrude from the soil. In very 
many instances during the washing out of roots it was 
remarked that fibres proceeded upward from the main hort- 
zontal roots, nearly or quite to the surface of the ground. 

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 
From the study of roots carried on during the past three 
seasons, it seems possible to make two generalizations 
applicable to plants grown at the Station. 
1st. The chief feeding ground of the roots of our 
hoed crops, including those of both field and garden, 
is in the stratum of soil lying from three _ to 
ten inches below the surface. Several plants, 
particularly the Leguminose, the cabbage family, let- 
tuce, parsley, parsnip, beet, and perhaps a few others, doubt- 
less obtain a considerable amount of their nourishment below 
ten inches, but judging from the locality in which the 
fibrous roots are most numerous, we may infer that even 
these secure more of their food above than below that 
depth. i 
and. In general terms, the plants that make the largest 
development of stem and foliage during summer, as corn, 
sorghum, tobacco and the Cucurbite, are those of which 
the feeding ground is shallowest in the soil. 
THE ORCHARD. 
The winter of 1885-6 proved disastrous to young trees of 
the more tender fruits. Eleven out of thirty peach trees, 
six out of fifteen nectarine, and six out of nineteen apricot 
