WEEDS 



A strange analogy exists between plant life and 

 some aspedts of human life. The same stern neces- 

 sity of the survival of the fittest physical in 

 one, and in the other mental and spiritual seems 

 to inhere in both. Among the weeds, competition 

 is the dominant note, as it is in our world. In 

 some higher circles it is sounded faintly, while 

 untold legions of the more delicate plants like 

 sensitive natures are driven to the wall, unequal 

 to the struggle. 



There are weeds whose ways suggest the arro- 

 gant monopoly, and others which recall the para- 

 sites of society. The dodder fastens upon its vidtim 

 and the bindweed throttles the innocent. To with- 

 stand the severe competition of pigweed and rag- 

 weed, the garden patch requires your energy, plus 

 its own; and the more war is waged upon these, 

 the more does it seem to encourage the purslane, 

 which thrives like a freebooter in this sort of 

 warfare. 



69 



