DESCRIPTIVE MANUAL 



389 



Fig. 227-A. Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). 1, head; 2, single 

 flower ; 3, achene ; k, receptacle and seed with pappus. 



Experiments have been made with herbicides and the one most 

 commonly used is iron sulphate which is usually applied at the 

 rate of 100 pounds to one barrel of water. The weed where prop- 

 erly sprayed will be destroyed, but owing to the fact that the dan- 

 delion possesses a long perennial root, sometimes 4 feet long, it 

 will sprout again. The spraying must be kept up until fall. 



Chemical Composition. — According to the report of the Bussey 

 Institution the chemical composition of the dandelion is as follows : 



FRESH OR AIR DRY MATERIAL. 



•Bull. 1877. Compiled by Jenkins and Winton ; Bull. 11, Off. Exp. Sta., U. S. 

 Dept. Agr. 



