1092 



Rural School Leaflet. 



under some conditions. Dandelions belong to this class. They are a 

 nuisance in the lawn; but the young leaves when cooked are useful as 

 food. 



Burdock. — This prominent weed is found in all parts of New York 

 State. It is especially common in rich land which has been neglected 

 for a few years. The dooryards of unoccupied farmhouses are often 

 overrun with it. 



The burdock belongs to 

 that class of plants which 

 live but two years. It spends 

 its energies the first year in 

 becoming well established. A 

 deep, thick root is produced 

 which bears a cluster of large 

 prominent leaves. No stem 

 is produced the first year. 



The second year of the 

 plant's life it sends up a 

 branched stem three to six 

 feet in height. The flowers, 

 which are purple, appear 

 from July to August. They 

 are produced in dense heads. 

 These seeds are ripe in Sep- 

 tember. The cluster of seeds 

 called burs, are covered with 

 projections which end in a 

 hook. These hooks enable 

 the seed clusters to become 

 attached to passing objects 

 and thus to become scattered. 

 The wool of sheep and the tails of horses are often filled with these burs. 



Burdocks may easily be destroyed in their first year of life if cut off 

 with a sharp instrument just below the surface of the ground. If 

 not destroyed until the second year they should be cut off before seeds 

 are produced. 



This weed is used extensively in medicine. Large quantities of the roots 

 and seeds are gathered, and are used in cases of blood and skin diseases. 



Wild carrot. — It is said that the wild carrot is the parent of our garden 

 carrot. Pull up one of these plants and smell it and you will under- 

 stand why. 



Fig. 39. — Burdock 



