THE STRUGGLES OF A SCOTCH PINE 223 
start they are ploughed under while the crops are being 
tended. Others may fall on the hard meadow or Srass 
land. The seed cannot bury itself here. If it germl- 
nates, the root cannot go deep enough to furnish water 
and food. - In the forest many seeds fall on the thick car- 

Fic. 273. Branch of pine with cones. 
pet of dry leaves and are unable to reach the soft, moist 
humus, or earth, below. All these seeds perish. But 
sometimes a cultivated field may be abandoned for several 
years and left to grow up to weeds, grass, and bushes. 
Animals sometimes disturb the leaves in the forest and 
root up the fresh soil. The woodsman may tear open 
