THE BATTLE OF LIFE. 89 



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stored up in the seeds, which fall readily when ripe, and 

 thus occasion a loss to the farmer. Again, as it has been 

 shown that the seeds of cereals contain their full propor- 

 tion of nutritive matter some little time before they 

 would be considered thoroughly ripe, early cutting, 

 where practicable, is to be recommended to secure the 

 crop and obviate possible loss from delay. 



CHAPTER VII. 

 THE BATTLE OF LIFE. 



Plants considered in their relation to theif ^struggle for existence. 

 Effect of adverse external conditions. Hostility of rivals, Weeds. 

 Competition of fellows. Gregarious vegetation. Associated or 

 mixed vegetation. Alternate vegetation, rotation. Objects of the 

 cultivator not the same as those of the plant under natural circum- 

 stances. The battle as studied in pasture-land or meadow. The 

 grass-plots at Eothamsted their botanical composition and the way 

 they are affected by manures of different kinds. The Grasses, their 

 nature and differences ; contrasts between nearly allied species. 

 The Leguminosse. The Miscellaneous weeds. The vegetation and 

 characteristics of the continuously unmanured plot. The effects 

 of different manures and of different combinations of manures upon 

 the struggle. Effects of disuse of manure, and of the substitution 

 of one kind for another. General results. 



In former sections mention has been made of the rela- 

 tions which the living plant bears to the heat, light, 

 moisture, and other physical conditions, by which it is 

 surrounded. These conditions are sometimes favorable, 

 sometimes prejudicial. In the latter case, the existence 

 of the plant becomes a prolonged struggle against adverse 

 influences. To a certain extent it is always so, and when 

 the difficulties can no longer be counterbalanced or over- 

 come, plants, like other living beings, succumb and die. 

 The life of each individual then may be described as a 

 battle against circumstances. 



