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 has but few branches, and the stems are all very hairy, 

 with whitish-green hairs. The leaves are rather long 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 projections) 

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

 seed is about J 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 grain. 



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 come (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 very thick 

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

 <See Fig. 15). 



