248 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Order 8. MALLOWS — Malvace^. This family is most abun- 

 dant in the tropics. The important and well known Cotton plant 

 is a member of this order. Many of the species from their beauty 

 are much sought for by florists. 



24 COiMMON Mallow — Malva rotundifolia. Perennial. Stem one to three feet long, 

 prostrate or spreading from a deep root. Leaves one to three inches in diameter, round, 

 kidnuy-shaped, on very long petioles. Flowers small, nearly white. 



Common Mallow. 



Naturalized in many places ; introduced from Europe, Found 

 about dwellings in waste places, frequently quite troublesome. It 

 should not be overlooked in the general destruction of weeds. 



Order 9. GERANIUMS — Geraniace^. The true Geraniums 

 are mostly natives of the Northern temperate zones. Species of 

 this order are found everywhere cultivated as ornamental plants. 

 The wood-sorrels are noticeable for their sour juice. 



25. Balsam-weed — Impatiensfulva. A\so caXXed Celandine a,x\di Jewel-weed. Stem ivio 

 to four feet high, very smooth, green, at length rather tawny. Leaves two to three inches 

 long, tawny underneath. Flowers deep orange, sprinkled with numerous brown spots, 

 loosely panicled at the ends of the branches, hanging gracefully on their slender nodding 

 atalks. Valves of the pods coiling elastically and scattering the seeds violently when 

 they burst. 



A native of swamps and low grounds, yet frequently abundant 

 about dwellings in moist rich soil. Its presence greatly mars the 

 appearance of one's grounds. Tliough not particularly trouble- 

 some it is of course eradicated by all neat farmers. The mature 

 capsules, or pods, are a source of amusement to children, as they 

 burst with considerable force at the slightest touch, whence the 

 name, touch-^me-not, by which it is sometimes known. 



