Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-17
HORTICULTURAL
The Nature and Uses of the
Roots Of Vegetables

Roots OF vegetables
Most persons are apt to think that a
root is nothing but an underground por-
ton Of a tree, or growing plant, pushed
out of the kernel through the soil, as
one would thrust a walking stick into a
sand bank and Judging from the man
mer in which roots are crushed, multi
ated and torn, when a tree or plant Is
removed, one would suppose that roots
are of no more account than numerous
wooden pegs thrust in every direction
from the parent stem, to aid the growing
plant In maintaining an erect position.
But 10 the practical cultivator of the soil.
a correct understanding and proper ap-
plication Of the particular functions Of
rOots-how they are formed-how they
ramify throughout the soil-how they
change the lifeless clods into fine mould
how they maintain the life Of the grow
ing plant, and how they build up the pa
rent stem and aid in unfolding the buds
and in developing the leaves and fruits.
constitute one of the most useful and
important branches of practical a%gricul-
ture. The tiller Of the soil who does
not understand something Of the Office
Of roots may, by accident, succeed. A
correct understanding of the. functions
Of growing plants and their roots is fun
damental to a mastery Of the principles
upon which sound agriculture depends. !
Roots are things of life. Vegetable life
IS as real as and important as animal
life and the little white r%ootlets. no
bigger than a knitting-needle. that push
their obsure way through the dim and
turbid soil are as much alive as earth
worms or grubs, OF the insects that bur
row under the sod. The philosophy of
the vegetable economy in the soil is mys-
FERROUS. 1t cannot be studied, because
when We invade those dim and
silent kingdoms with the scrutiny Of our
science, this very intrusion arrests the
living process We would study. When a
certain amount Of moisture and heat
have entered the seed, the germ. quick
ened into life, pushes u a root. which
always precedes the stem. As soon as
the radicle has burst through the integu-
ment Of the kernel the tender extremity
Is provided with a portion Of a radicle
Of a soft texture which the b0tanists call
a s%pongiole or sponge, because its chief
duty Is 10 absorb water that has been en-
riched by taking into solution portions
of plant-food. These little roots are
provided with a cap or tip much harder
than the body Of the spongiole. some
what as the feet of the mole or wood
oL-,I - III IL TTl =
is perforated with numerous small holes.
large enough to admit such liquid as the
spongiole might require to lengthen the
root by adding particle to atom behind
this shield as the elongation Of each root !
is effected. This cap on the extremity
OF the root may also be compared to a '
m%ale-ploW, which Is thrust forward I
through the seed-lid as fast as material T
Is accumulated to construct the body of ]
the root, Just as 4 mason forms a eulvert Y
or cement water pipe by building on a q
brick after brick, or by continuing to ap- q
ply more and more mortar at one end Of q
his work. Here, at the extremity Of the e
root, Is where its growth, l~engthways a
takes place. And here also. behind this 5
indurated cap in the stolaach-so to 2
speak-of the root. The pabulum is ?
received into the spOngiole, digested, to a
all intents and purposes, just as much as Il
the food that enters the stomach of a n
animal. "
Here it Is eoncocted into sap and e
hbrous material and by a process which i
mortals are not permitted 10 look into a
the hard cap, or point Of the miniature d
mole-plow, is thrust forward. farther and "
farther from the parent stem. In this n
way, rootlets and branch r~ootlets con b
to be formed, until every cubic il
inch Of the low seed bed has been pro- v
yided with a score Of open mouths ready n
lay hold Of any material that NAV be n
in the soil, and which is adapted to The al
requirements Of the growing plant. The h
spoDgioles Of certain kinds of plants will b
hold Of coarse, hard and rough ma |
and appropriate them to the pur- Il
poses Of the plant, just as goats will sub "
INST on weeds and other rough feed which K
iheep would refuse. Roots benefit the h
in two ways-by their action in life Il
md their function after death. Thus. h
clover and the thistle roots pierce a stiff b
and by capillary attraction draw 81
lp potash, lime, iron, and phosphorus in &C
.%olutiOn. When the plant dies these Il
substances are nearer the surface than ii
hey were before, while the decay of the Il
DOT yields hUmus. How to promote b;
srowth of roots is a consideration Of the a
greatest practical importance to every tn
person who trains a growing vine, or cul- nC
YATES a tiny flower. The vital fluid. 10
Nnich Is TO trees and plants what blood III
: 70 lhe animal system, enters the circu. W,
.allon through the spongioles Of the in pc
oumeraoie r2dicles which are sent out in ar
IOes1 % 4 material as the plant re- ur
%Iuires, to build up the stem and branch Gu
sarth, therefore, be in such .4e ~
IF pulyerizstion that the nne sl@1e o
AN spread readily, in eyery rauIcies a.
Isveral feet below the %sorfsce Gooh
Iuiremepts Of the growing roof :
7ery important respect, viii have ba re-
net. In many localities nature haz 5o0n N'
III that any tree or plant may require
Is the entire earth, as far down as root
Slll ever strike. even were they 10 de- ~