274 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



lanceolate or oblong. Flowers small, two or three together in the axils of the leaves, 

 white. 



The most common weed in door-yards and along foot-paths ; 

 frequently abundant in cultivated fields. The seeds are acutely 

 three-angled, black, and are much eaten by small birds, whence it 

 is sometimes called bird's knot-grass. As a domestic medicine, it 

 has been strongly recommended for diarrhoea. A variety, — var. 

 erectum, — is abundant in rich, shady places. 



96 Arrow-lea VEn Tear-Thumb — Scratch-grass — Polygonum sagittatum. Annual, 

 Stem two" to four feet long, slender, four-angled, angles very rough, with fine and ex- 

 ceedingly sharp, saw-toothed prickles. Lmves one to three inches long, half an inch to 

 an inch wide, arrow-shaped. Flowers in small terminal clusters, whitish. 



A native species common in wet grounds and ditches, about 

 buildings, &c. The prickles on the angles of the stem will cut 

 the hand if drawn against it. 



97. Black Bindweed — Knot Bindweed — Polygonum Convolvulus. Annual. Stem 

 twining or procumbent, two to three feet long. Leaves one to two inches long, halberd- 

 heart-shaped. Flowers whitish. 



A naturalized species from Europe, common in grain fields, 

 climbing around whatever it can lay hold of, doing much damage 

 to the crops. In gardens it is exceedingly troublesome and quite, 

 difficult to destroy. Do not let any plants go to seed and it will 

 soon become scarce. 



98. Buckwheat — Fagopyrum escidenfum. This useful plant often 

 becomes a troublesome weed, about places where it has been for- 

 merly cultivated. It is an annual, and should have the same 

 treatment as Black Bindweed. 



99. Curled Dock — Ruincx crixpus. Root spindle-shaped, yellow, long, perennial. 

 Stetn two to four feet high. Leaves lanceolate, wavy-curled margin, eight to fifteen 

 inches long. Flowers green. 



Too common a weed in cultivated and waste grounds, natural- 

 ized, from Europe. Other common names, than the one given 

 above, for this plant are, Yelloio Dock, Sour Dock, Na7'row Dock. 

 It is highly esteemed as a domestic remedy for cutaneous diseases. 

 RuMKX OBTUsiFOUDs — BUter Dock, is another introduced species, 

 common with the preceding, more worthless, but not so prevalent. 

 RuMEx SANGUINEUS — Bloody-vcincd Dock, is also a foreigner. It 

 grows in cultivated and waste grounds, though less common than 

 either of the above species. It is readily distinguished by its red- 

 veined leaves. 



