The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-05-12
Trees.-The Mysteryn.O of Root
Growth.

of light prerequisite to nealthy anu
certain termination or growth OF
seeds. Small seeds require less depth
of covering than large ones. LIZ
clusion from light induces the most
rapid development OF roots, ana II
they are to be created other tnan
from seeds, WOODS of soft cellular
character produces them most readily
Moderate moisture is necessary Tor
their development and while they are
not buds, yet it is necessary tor their
production and maintenance thaC
leaf buds and leaves exist III con-
nection with the stem from which
roots are desired to be grown.
The first appearance OF the roots
in the embryo plant, at the time OF
termination, proceeds the expansion
of the seed leaves, yet the young
root will not live unless the seed
leaves are enabled to act AS the
root develops itself and pushes down
ward, the stem and seed leaves grow
towards the surface, which having
reached, the elongation of the roots
is at once checked, and the root ap-
pears to assume the functions attrlbu-
table to it in the production OF growth
in the plant.
The roots absorb food from the
earth, extending as the supply be-
comes exhausted has been proved
but this enlargement and extension is,
at the same time, attributable to the
return through the stem Of organic
able matter, elaborated by the leaf.
This return of matter is supposed to
form new layers, horizontally and
longitudinally thereby creating To-
creased size with length The cor
rectness of this theory is sustained
by the fact that denuding the tree OF
it's leaves at once checks rapid extern
sion of roots; and if the foliage is
long kept off, and if the starting OF
dormant seeds be prevented, roots
and stems soon die. If the denuding
process is performed in the spring
and early summer, when roots are
most active and the foliage rapidly
developing, death is certain. But if
the denuding process be omitted
until midsummer, the roots appar-
emily receive little or no check.
They appear 10 be furnished with
the power OF pess the, adding new
living matter to their points, and con-
tinue to extend themselves as the
food in contact becomes consumed.
AS roots are never found inactive,
except when frozen, this absorption
and elongation must arise from con'
tinued circulation, however sluggish,
and measurably irrespective OF the
stem, thereby increasing the natural
period OF rest, and storing up food In
the interior, to be distended and Wig
orously applied to rapid growth on
the approach of spring.
In general roots have no apparent
buds, and, therefore, cannot readily
be used to increase the plant to which
they belong. There are, however,
exceptions, to this rule.
Roots have their separate orders OF
position, and uses. The main or tap
root, which in seedlings undisturbed,
if the soil is not too hard, usually pen
etrates the earth vertically. What
are termed lateral roots, diverging
from near the crown and main roots,
and usually if not always, correspon'
ding in number and extent to like
number of branches OF main limbs in
the tree above. Examination eXhib-
it's in fact that if, by some cause, a
tree, while young, loses It's branches
upon one side, and extends them
upon the other, the roots are found
to exist only on that side, and i'm
mediately under the existing branches.
The fibers or rootlets, correspond III
great measure with the twigs and
spur like branches above ground.
These tibers vary in size from that OF
a fine thread to that Of a knitting
needle. They also vary III roots, and
in varieties, as the trees have, large
or small, many or few, short twigS,
spurs, or spray. Those hbers are,
many OF them, produced from
species of seeds III the root, and are
forced out into existence more and
more as the tree is often transplanted,
or has it's leading main OF strong lat
eral roots, shortened by the spade or
knife. The next are the spongloles
or extreme ends of the tibers or root
let's These are porous, spongy, and
are sometimes called feeders. w hen
IN the soil, they are soft and OF deli,
cate tissue, exceedingly sensitive and
liable to be destroyed i'll short time
L taLnn ont into cold dry ar.