QUERCUS ALBA 



and shade to a limb or a leaf 

 means death. Gradually, season 

 by season, they grew weaker until 

 finally, when they were completely 

 shaded, they died; and the first 

 step in the natural pruning of the 

 future forest had been taken. 



Time had passed while this was 

 taking place years ; and from 

 seedlings the group upon the pla- 

 teau had arrived at the dignity of 

 saplings. Likewise, with each pass- 



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