38 



Fig. 10. 

 Corn Cockle, or Corn Campion. 

 Agrostemma githago (L). 



An annual adventive from Europe, about 1 to 3 feet high, with 

 erect habit of growth. It hae but few branches, and the stems are 

 all very hairy, with whitish-green hairs. The leaves are rather l-ong 

 and narrow, with pointed ends. The flowers are red to purple, and 

 the flower cup (calyx) has long lobes, three or four times the length 

 of the petals. 



The seed capsules are generally well filled with seed which is 

 black in color and kidney-shaped, with tubercles (small conical pro- 

 jections) arranged in rows around the sides of the seed. (See Fig. 10, 

 a.) The seed is about \ in. across. An average plant produces about 

 500 seeds. 



Time of flowering, July. 



Time of seeding, August. 



Dispersal — by birds, in manure, and as an impurity in seed 

 again. 



It may be noted, in passing, that the seed is injurious to young 

 chickens, and the husks of the seed often elude the miller and appear 

 as black specks in flour, which is seriously damaged thereby. An old 

 writer, Gerarde, says : 



" What hurt it doth among corn (wheat) the spoyle unto bread, 

 as well in colour, taste, and unwholesomeness, is better known than 

 desired." 



Eradication. Sow clean seed ; and when the weed is not verj* 

 thick pull it by hand. Otherwise use the same treatment as for 

 mustard. (See Fig. 15). 



