THE BATTLE OF LIFE. 89 
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. 
OHAPTER VII. 
THE BATTLE OF LIFE, 
Plants considered in their relation to their struggle for existence.— 
Effect of adverse external conditions.—Hostility of rivals, Weeds.— 
Competition of fellows.—Gregarious vegetation. — Associated ov 
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 Rothamsted—their botanical composition and the way 
they are affected by manures of different kinds.—The Grasses, their 
nature and differences; coutrasts between nearly allied species.— 
The Leguminose.—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. Toa 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 desgribed as a 
battle against circumstances, 
