14 



-^"A small magnifying glass is very useful in identifying seeds. 

 Perhaps the most convenient glass for the purpose is the tripod 

 magnijier (Fig. A), costing about fifty cents. The linen-tester ( Fio-. B) 

 is cheaper, but yet quite serviceable. '^ 



Fig. A. Tripod magnifier. 



Fig, B. Linen tester. 



Classification of Weeds. 



Weeds may be classi6ed according to the length of time they live, 

 as follows : 



Annuals, or weeds which germinate, bloom, fruit, and die, in one 

 year or season. Corn Cockle is an example. 



Winter Annuals, which germinate late in summer or autumn, 

 pass the winter as seedlings or immature plants, and complete the 

 cycle of their existence by blooming, fruiting, and dying during the 

 following summer. Such are Chess and Shepherd's Purse. 



Biennials, which produce leaves and roots the first year, and 

 flowers and seeds the second year, after which they die. The Wild 

 Carrot and Evening Primrose are familiar examples. 



Perennials, which last from year to year, blooming and seeding 

 annually. These are divided into two classes : 



(1) Those with underground creeping stems, such as the Canada 

 Thistle. 



(2) Those with roots which do not spread underground, such as 

 Chicory and Plantain. 



It is important to know the class to which a weed belongs, as the 

 method of eradicating an annual is often very different from that 

 required to destroy a perennial. 



