176 



AGRONOMY 



Foxtail (Setaria glaucof). This is another annual grass that 

 does not make its appearance until very late in spring. It has 

 a most extensive root system, and when it is pulled up often 

 brings more valuable plants with it. The fruiting part is a 

 bristly spike two or three inches long, from the appearance 



of which the common 

 name is derived. 



Old witch grass (Pan- 

 icum capillare). This is 

 an annual that thrives 

 in dry soils. It appears 

 in early summer, put- 

 ting up several coarse 

 hairy stems that bear 

 large panicles of many 

 purplish threadlike di- 

 visions. Late in the year 

 these panicles break 

 from the plant and are 

 blown about by the 

 wind. This species is 

 sometimes called tickle 

 grass in allusion to its 

 feathery panicle. 



Photograph from American Steel and Wire Co. BllttCrCUO ( RttnUn- 



FIG. 125. Young plant of the Canada thistle, 7 -NO i 



culus acrts). several 

 one of our worst weeds 



species of buttercup 



may become weeds, but the one here given is best entitled to 

 the name. It takes entire possession of many damp meadows 

 and is so acrid that cattle will not touch it. Drying dispels 

 the acrid properties, and when cut with the hay it is harmless. 

 Wild carrot (Daucus carota). The wild carrot is also called 

 bird's nest and Queen Anne's lace, in allusion to its flower 

 clusters. It is a vile pest in many thin soils and its sturdy 



