182 



in humbler cominiinities the overgrowth and undergrowth are usually 

 apparent if one looks closely. Separate the cat-tails in the dense swamp 

 and see the weak and narrow-leaved grasses growing between (Fig. 

 96). JS^ote the clover, young grasses and other plants between the grass 

 in the meadow ; the fanner says that his meadow has good " bottom." 

 Some plants even gruw on top of other plants. It is their way 

 of getting light. Of such are the climbers, l^ote the mantle 



which the wild grape 

 throws over the trees 

 (Fig. 97). Often the sup- 

 porting tree is smothered 

 and killed. 



When an area is newly 

 cleared many plants rush 

 for it. Quickly it is cov- 

 e r e d with ambitious, 

 growths — poke weeds, 

 lireweeds, thistles, briars, 

 nettles. Often each 

 plant occupies large 

 places alone, making 

 clumps or patches. These 

 patches are plant colo- 

 nies, made up mostly of one species or kind (Fig. 98). But as the 

 struggle tightens other plants insinuate themselves into the colony 

 and it is broken up ; a mixed population results. Sometimes these 

 colonies are broken up l)y the shade of trees and tall bushes which 

 have come up near them, for all neglected areas in this part of the 

 world tend to return to forest if they are not mowed, pastured or 

 burned. Mowed and pastured areas run into grass, for the grass 

 withstands the cutting and grazing. In burned areas the struggle 

 begins anew when the fire has passed. 



Plant societies are easy of study by the school. Their study 

 appeals to the desire of exploration and adventure, and it adds 

 zest to the excursion. Go to a swale, swamp, roadside, forest, 

 weedy field or other place, and ask the pupil to note ; (1) that the 

 flora of the place is unlike that of places with different physical 



features; (2) that these particular plants grow together because they all 



282 



98. — A colony of dotbur. 



