Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-05-09
COMMUNICATION.
Why Is 1t!

The plantain-Plantago Major-com-
mon plantain or rib-wert, has been called
the White mans footsteps! because it
ssems to follow him whithersoever he
goss. The question naturally arises as to
Why 1t follows the white mans footsteps
more than it does the red mans? And
does it really do SO? If it does, it must
he because the white man steps, walks, or
travels. In the self-same old places, and
paths, more continuously than does the
Indian. The plantaia usually grows in
door yards, and along fences and places
where the pevple generally walk. This
Is not because the grows or thrives any the
better for being trodden under foot, bat
1T Is because it will bear rough usage Will,
less injury to its vitality than does the
more tender grasses aud weeds, Just as
Will the knot grass, the wild camomile and
such like tough and hardy plants. The
other Vegetable growthS are crushed and
erodden out of exlstenbe by being walked
upon too much, while the plantain, with
Its O'ate broad, fat leaves, is strong.
hardy and Indigenous to the soil, it scat
'ers Its multltudinous seeds and thrives
and grows on until it often monopolizes
Whole yards. That it does not really like
Cslng trampled upon may be sect. by the
'nriity appearance of the specimens which
grow IN favorable situations. compared
win the stuntiest growth of those which
are thus exposed, and also by its dying
entirely out directly in the roads and
pains which are much trodden. Every
,su'ne Will bear due amount Of injury,
Out ut is the last feather that breaks the
s-mels back, so too many steps will kill
:'en The tough old plantain. This plant
..t ~ Instance proving Darwin's theory of
'"s MfS'Sai of the fittesC in the struggle
I;c., .s,enee. What strange thing is
'."e' We take hand full of seed of
- = '1f"us kinds and scatter them upon
NC e4r'n' great majority of them come
~ Auu grow for little time, but very
'eW OF the strongest plants-those
adapted to the situation and the soil
S'l at once take start and shoot right
~ showing pushing and crowding away
'ue rest, monopolizing not only grow
SOli,
.u nnTtriment. leaving the weak, puny
T.'eings W. around them to wither and die.
S seems to be a wise provision of Ma
Sna-i ;" mat seed enough shall be pro-
eu anu sown to cover the whole ground
u Tue plants arrive at their maturity.
m m only the best and the strongest arc
az OSsd !, to live and perpetuate their spe-
d. a. thereby keeping up only supply of
,,;. IS most highly developed and best
ed ~, TO the worlds need.
4. mere is much to study and learn about
on, esulnolest plant that grows beneath
eet. Come now and look at this
'a,n about which we bave been talk
bes. Gee how the leaves grow direct
,bon. sne grown. all radical, each one with
,,sL seven viens or ribs. these ribs have
b,ona strong thread or fibre running
vrorag gn them and are reddish near the
erosS;, u; the cylindric spike which is
sen,.' with small whitish flowers, each
feet s'e ~ Hover trying its prettiest to per-
in tbs nny little seeds carefully hidden
s.ti,. wary " this species of plantain is a
fG,l..Oi Of Japan, Europe and America.
pd s.,, 's' are good to apply to wounds
Eas 80 An and spsrrovs and ether susll
@ the seed. ~ K.B-sl