QUERCUS ALBA 



in strength between them. The 

 soil about all their roots was prac- 

 tically identical, and each drew 

 from it all possible nourishment; 

 desperately, in an effort to outstrip 

 the others in size, each of these 

 now directed its growth more 

 and more upward. Less and less 

 nourishment was going to the in- 

 terfering side branches, and in con- 

 sequence they became unhealthy. 

 Also, now, shade from the mingling 

 tops began to fall upon them 



28 



