RIVALRY OF PLANTS 155 



If it rained too much, drainage took up the 

 excess. When the rains did not come, the soil 

 was sprinkled. 



Under cultivation and kindly care the dis- 

 couragements of its life grew less and less, and 

 the encouragements to thrive grew more and 

 more. 



Soon this violet, as if assured of reproduction, 

 abandoned the blossoms at its base, and threw its 

 energies into making bigger and brighter and 

 more beautiful blossoms at its top. Where it 

 had half-heartedly advertised to the bees of old, 

 it now concentrated its efforts to win the ap- 

 proval of the new-found friend whose dooryard 

 brought it opportunity. 



And this is the life story of the violet which we 

 now call the pansy. 



On the one hand, in the woods, we see its wild 

 kinfolk still struggling against unequal odds; on 

 the other we see its own large, beautiful pansy 

 petals, and the increased brilliancy of its hues; 

 each a response to environment. 



Truly, in the pretty face of the pansy 

 we may read the vivid story of man's impor- 

 tance as a friendly element in the lives of 

 plants. 



Where do the flowers get their colors? 



From the bees, the birds, and from us. 



