930 BATTLES OF PLANTS IN THE WORLD 
have lost in number. They grow at a more rapid rate 
now and are beginning 
to outstrip and shade the 
weeds. ‘The weeds and 
grass cannot endure the 
shade as well as the little 
pines could. 
As the pines get higher 
the branches reach out 
and nearly cut off the 
light from the ground. 
Finally the weeds and 
grass can no longer grow 
underneath them. The 
few pines remaining 
have overcome the 
weeds. 
Other competitors ap- 
pear. There were, per- 
haps, some acorns, or 
beechnuts, or the seeds 
of other trees in the 
ground. <A few of these 
got a start. Some may 
have started before the 
pines did. The pines 

FIG. 281. Group of large Scotch pines 
(Cheshire). have grown out of the 
