12 FORESTS AND MANKIND 



Even that subtle, complex process by which wood is made 

 from such intangible materials as air, sunlight, and water is 

 opening up its secrets. We are coming to know a little more of 

 how in the form of seeds, small trees are formed and packed 

 within protective coverings, then broadcast within the forest 

 world to distribute and so perpetuate their own independent 

 spark of life. 



THE FIGHT FOR LIGHT 



Forest trees are crowded about by their fellows in a race for the life-giving sun- 

 light. They must grow to survive. Those that fall behind in the race are cut off 

 from the light and die. 



Trees of the field have no such competition. With abundant light from all sides 

 they remain short and low branching throughout their lives. 



A tree seed is essentially a minute tree, with the beginnings 

 of root, stem, and leaf already formed and surrounded by 

 some kind of protective coat. With this embryo tree is packed 

 a supply of food derived from the parent tree, on which it lives 

 and grows until old enough to shift for itself. Seeds are of 

 different shapes and many sizes, but whether they be small as 



