This paper presents the results obtained from a comparative study of the root system of two coffee varieties, i.e. Bourbon Amarelo and Mundo Novo cultivated in "terra-roxa-legítima" soil and receiving only mineral fertilizers. The root systems of the two varieties reached respectively the depths of 3.7 and 3.1 meters. Down to a depth of 2 meters both of them showed considerable amounts of roots, but about 90% of the total was present in the upper layer of 50 centimeters. The fine roots appeared in great density near the stems in a circle oE 75 centimeters of radius in the layer of 50 centimeters of depth.