THE COLTSFOOT 



habits and quaint details of structure of the 

 famihar coltsfoot. It is one of the commonest of 

 weeds, and this point alone emphasises the fact 

 that it is a successful species, a species that is 

 established and can hold its own against all 

 comers. My friend, the farmer, though, is on its 

 track : he is hoeing and spudding for all he is 

 worth. So he may, but the coltsfoot will not give 

 in ; it will fight for and secure its corner, as it has 

 ever done. The farmer is no new enemy ; the 

 coltsfoot has fought him many times before ; it 

 knows his strategy well. Its alternating periods 

 for flowering and leafing, and its deep penetrating 

 rootstock are counter-movements against his per- 

 sistent attacks. But even should he once succeed 

 in eradicating the coltsfoot from his plot, his 

 victory is but for the moment. When the ground 

 is newly-turned the coltsfoot will once more 

 return from the distant railway cutting on its 

 hairy wings, and remind him that the battle has 

 not ended, and also that, if he is determined to 

 monopolise the land, he must fight for it. 



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