996 BATTLES OF PLANTS IN THE WORLD 
tower above them and hide them. 
It looks as if the 
pine seedlings would be choked out. But they can do 
fairly well in the shade; better, perhaps, than the 

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Fic. 277. Pine seedlings casting seed coats or 
embryo cases. 

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af MMe { 
weeds think, if 
they are capable 
of doing such a 
thing. The pine 
seedlings do not 
hurry. They bide 
their time. They 
are making long 
and useful roots. 
They are prepar- 
ing for a long 
struggle for life. 
The score after 
the first season. In 
the autumn let us 
take count of the 
contest. The weeds 
raced swiftly and 
“oot far ahead. 
But they have 
exhausted them- 
selves. They have ripened many seeds, but they die; 
their leaves wither and dry up. This lets mm more light 
for the tiny pine seedlings. The autumn winds and 
