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 CHAPTER VII

THE ROOT—THE FORMS OF ROOTS

The Root System.—The offices of the root are to hold the plant in place, and to gather food. Not all the food materials, however, are gathered by the roots.

The entire mass of roots of any plant is called its root system. The root system may be annual, biennial or perennial, herbaceous or woody, deep or shallow, large or small.

Kinds of Roots.—A strong leading central root, which runs directly downwards, is a tap-root. The tap-root forms