WEEDS 181 



weak Javelle water (directions for making which are 

 found on every package of chloride of lime), with weak 

 ammonia water, common soda, or hyposulphite of soda, 

 the irritation, itching, and other effects of the poison 

 soon stop. If the treatment be given as soon as one 

 comes home from a walk, the poisoning will be pre- 

 vented. 



It is not necessary to touch the plant in order to be 

 poisoned. When the plant is in blossom, the oil may be 

 carried by the pollen which floats on the wind. Or 

 the oil may be carried by the wind from the smoke of 

 bonfires in which the plant is burning. Or it may be 

 carried by clothing or anything else which has touched 

 the plant. 



It is easy to recognize the plant by its leaves, which 

 are always in groups of three. There is no other plant 

 in the woods which looks like it. The leaves turn a 

 beautiful red in the fall, and are often picked by people 

 who do not know that the plant is poisonous. 



It is a perennial plant with long underground stems. 

 The only way to get rid of it is to have it dug out by 

 some person who is not affected by the poison. One 

 must be careful about supposing that he is not affected, 

 for it sometimes happens that a person who thinks he is 

 safe takes the poison while perspiring freely. 



The plants are sometimes killed by pouring sulphuric 

 acid on the roots. The acid does not long prevent grass 

 or other plants from growing on the spot, as many 



