298 
instead of the new surface soil being sterile, the shelling and 
weathering have ‘“‘cultivated’’ the land. That this is so is 
proved by the appearance of the Somme battlefield during the 
past summer. 
Looking over the devastated country from the Bapaume Road 
one saw only a vast expanse of weeds of cultivation which so 
completely covered the ground and dominated the landscape that 
all appeared to be a level surface. In July poppies predomin- 
ated, and the sheet of colour as far as the eye could see was 
superb; a blaze of scarlet unbroken by tree or hedgerow ere 
and there long stretches of chamomile (Matricaria Chamomulla, 
L.) broke into the prevailing red and monopolised some acres; 
and large patches of yellow charlock were also conspicuous, but 
in the general effect no other plants were noticeable, though a 
closer inspection revealed the presence of most of the common 
weeds of cultivation, a list of which is given below. . 
Charlock not only occurred in broad patches, but was also 
beautifal or impressive it ma , can same sentiments be 
evoked or feelings be so deeply stirred. Nowhere, I imagine, 
can the magnitude of the struggle be better appreciated than in 
gh, 
but for the most 9 so they are shattered, torn, and splintered 
eet of the bole remaining. In all the woods 
tion. Here some of the trees are still alive though badly broken, 
but the ground beneath is covered with a dense growth of the 
Rose-bay Willow Herb (Eptilobtum angustifolium) extending ovet ; 
Seen from across 
several acres. the valley this great sheet of 
rosy-pink was a most striking object, and the shattered and 
broken trees rising out of it looked less forlorn than elsewhere. 
A little further back the woods have naturally suffered less 
beco sionally, even in the battle area, a tree 
in leaf and only slightly injured may be seen, all the more 
pat and in its loneliness especially when surt- 
rounded by gaunt and blackened stems, whose shattered, arm- 
like branches seem to be pointing with the hand of fate. 
