Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1884 — Perforating Power of Boots. [ARTICLE]

Perforating Power of Boots.

It is indeed wonderful how easily the roots of plants and trees bore through hard, impacted soils in search of nourishment. They use for this purpose a sort of awl, of immense power, situated at the end of the roots, and capable, with the aid of the 'other root machinery, of thrusting aside heavy weights and getting through almost any obstructions. Yet the awl consists only q{ a mass of microscopic absorbent cells formed in vegetable mucus the fluid in which vital action is first set Hp. The roots of the elm and the maple will bore through the hardest soil of walls or streets, enter drains, twine about water-pipes and penetrate through the seams of stone and brick structures. The roots of some plants have been known to pass through eighteen inches of solid brick-work and make their appearance in a wine-cellar below. Plants have a vast power in overcoming obstacles when foraging for food. They are like a hungry animal which ho fences can restrain when there is food beyond. The movements of roots in soils proceed on certain principles of utility in connection with the welfare of the plant. Some need much more moisture than others, and the roots will drive through rocks to obttin it; others need sih'cious food, and will penetrate through a clay bank to reach the desired foraging ground. The urgency with which nature drives plants ana animals in pursuit of food is almost irresistible.