THE PROGRESS OF THE SEASON 235 



In nature, annual plants occupy the spaces left temporarily- 

 unoccupied by perennials. They fill the niches, both spatial 

 and seasonal. So, when we move them into our open fields, 

 they enjoy unaccustomed abundance of room and light. 

 We change conditions and increase their yield, but we do 

 not greatly change the nature of any of the plants. Out in 

 the clover-field, we see a few stalks of rye that have sprung 

 up where a seed fell and germinated. The swaying stems 

 rise to thrice the height of the clover. Why this unnecessary 

 length of stem, and undue exposure to the rude winds? 

 We need only look at the wild rye growing among the forest 

 undergrowth, to see in what conditions this growth-habit 

 was acquired. There, all that length of stem in needed to 

 reach effective light. 



We plant such spindling things closely for mutual sup- 

 port, while to potatoes we allow plenty of "elbow-room." 

 We till one crop and not another, according to their need 

 of help in competition with weeds. We adjust our farming 

 • operations to the seasonal behavior of our very varied crops : 

 for no adjustment the other way about is possible. Accord- 

 ing to the temperature and time requirements of our crops, 

 we make a series of plantings in spring and a succession of 

 harvests in the summer. So, our ways conform to theirs. 



One who raises plants, gets pleasure out of his craft in 

 proportion as he follows their idiosyncrasies, and knows 

 what they are doing in root and branch or in flower and fruit, 

 at every turn of the season. 



