THE BATTLE OF LIFE AMONG PLANTS. 
45 
It is clear from Professor Hoffman’s experiments that, but 
for the continual use of the hoe, and the diligent extirpation of 
the weeds in our fields, the stronger growing ones would not 
only destroy our crops, but also other weeds less vigorous than 
themselves. But they are not sufficient to explain all the con- 
ditions of this complicated problem ; as is shown by the fact 
that in the district adjoining the locality where Professor Hoff- 
man’s experiments were carried on, the predominant plants 
are not the same as those which ultimately proved victors 
in the experimental beds. 
We may add, that for two years a series of observations was 
carried on in the gardens of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, 
at Chiswick, with a view to ascertain how certain selected 
plants, twelve in number, and naturally growing in pastures, 
would be affected when growing by themselves, by the addition 
of manures of five different descriptions, and similar to those 
used at Eothamsted. In some cases the results of these expe- 
riments were unsatisfactory, from circumstances that need not 
be detailed here ; still a large body of facts was accumulated, 
and, with reference to the property by which certain plants 
prove victorious in the struggle for life, it was clear that 
the natural habit or organisation of the plant was, cceteris 
jjaribus, the mainspring of its siujcess over its competitors. 
The several manures intensified or deteriorated this peculiar 
organisation, as the case might l)e, and thus favoured or 
impeded its growth accordingly. 
