THE PLANT AND THE SEASONS 17 



enable them to start into a vigorous upgrowth. 

 Should the tree become denuded of its foliage for 

 even a short while, it would soon find itself sur- 

 rounded by a host of formidable rivals that might 

 threaten its very existence. No such considera- 

 tions arise in the case of trees growing in temper- 

 ate climes for at any rate half of the year. In 

 the bitter days of winter there is no fear that the 

 myriads of seeds which lie buried in the soil will 

 start into life. Even should they do so during 

 the first few weeks of warm weather they will 

 scarce have grown into small plants before the 

 branches above them are thick with rustling 

 leaves. 



To the lover of Nature every springtime comes 

 with freshness, offering as it does a new oppor- 

 tunity to observe one of the most amazing sights 

 in the whole world. The bare trees, the leafless 

 hedges, and the brown earth are in a few short 

 weeks transformed as by the touch of a magician's 

 hand. So great is the up-rush of life that it is 

 quite impossible to separate oneself from the joy- 

 ousness of the resurrection. It is interesting to 

 dwell upon the underlying causes which bring 

 about this annual change. The question is one 

 which must often arise How do plants know the 

 seasons ? ' At first sight it may seem that a 



