CHAPTER XI 



THE DEFENCES OF PLANTS 



THE modern business man feels intensely the com- 

 mercial struggle for existence. If one approaches 

 him with the question, " How is business ?" the answer 

 will generally involve the assertion, " The pace is getting 

 ever faster, and competition is very keen." Our com- 

 mercial friends feel the weight and oppressiveness of 

 competition, and know that if they are to succeed in 

 the struggle they must be ever alert and ingenious, 

 and ready to outstep their competitors. Methods 

 must be brought up-to-date, old machinery scrapped 

 and replaced by better, wise economies must be insti- 

 tuted, and protective measures adopted. He who 

 can invent something new and universally useful is 

 likely to outstep his competitors, and find openings 

 for business and financial success that do not fall to the 

 lot of the individual who is unduly conservative. 



Competition is as keen, if not keener, among the 

 plants, and it is utterly ruthless. Here the fight is 

 without " the gloves," and in no way modified by virtue 

 or conscience. The strongest and fittest will survive ; 

 the weakest must go to the wall. The established flora 

 of a district, that which is vigorous and can be reckoned 

 on, has survived many vicissitudes and remains fit; 

 it has succeeded in the struggle and is the witness of its 



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