DANDELION, 



6q 



were grown in the green house where they could be under con- 

 stant observation. Some of them are shown in the accompany- 

 ing figures. 



Figure 28 represents a seedhng plant of the common dandelion 

 (Taraxacum officinale) in its normal condition. Figure 29 

 shows a small root cutting which is forming a new plant. 

 Figure 30 shows a normal branching root of a mature plant and 

 figure 31a plant which at some time has been cut off about two 

 inches beneath the surface. It is evident that by severing the 

 numerous side roots of such plants as that shown in figure 30. 

 the crop of dandelions on the lawn will be materially increased 

 by cutting the existing plants. Figure 32 represents the condi- 

 tion many lawns exhibit after having been dug freely for greens 

 for a few years. 



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Figure 3-2— Effect of coiitiiuietl digging for "greens." 



The fall dandelion, shown in figures 33 and 34, also grows 

 readily from root cutting ; but as this plant is not used for greens 

 it is seldom spread by promiscuous digging. It seeds very 

 freely, however, and spreads rapidly in this way. 



Since digging the roots in the ordinary manner will not 

 exterminate the dandelion and since both species spread rapidly 

 by seed, it is evident that great care must be used in order to 



