WEEDS OF ARABLE LAND 53 



Buttercups the fruits are small, hard and dry (achenes), 

 but in this species they are large, few in number, and 

 covered with hooked spines. When ripe the fruits are 

 flat and spiny, and in some districts they are known by 

 the name of " Watch Wheels." 



As this weed is an annual and grows rapidly in the 

 spring months, it is obvious that spring cultivation and 

 hoeing will destroy the seedlings. Later, should any 

 flowering plants be observed they must be hoed out to 

 prevent seeding. Cereals and unmilled sainfoin should 

 be examined for the fruits before sowing. 



PAPAVERACE.E 



Four species of the genus Papaver are met with in 

 Great Britain P. Rhceas L., P. dubium L., P. Argemone 

 L., and P. hybridum L., while a fifth, P. somniferum L., 

 the Opium Poppy, occurs occasionally as an escape 

 from cultivation. The two first are the most important 

 agriculturally, occurring commonly in cornfields in many 

 parts of the country. What is a more magnificent 

 sight than the waving scarlet cloth flung wide over the 

 fields between June and August in the district around 

 Cromer aptly named " Poppyland," in parts of Lin- 

 colnshire, Sussex, Hants, and elsewhere ? The mixed 

 Poppies and grain crop form indeed a striking and 

 picturesque spot of colour in the landscape, especially 

 when seen in undulating country and backed by woods. 

 Yet all who are acquainted with the harm which an 

 excess of weeds may cause will appreciate the picture 

 also from another point of view, for the corn crop is 

 sometimes ruined by the presence of the crowding 

 scarlet-capped plants. 



The Common Red Poppy (P. Rhceas) and the Long 

 Smooth-headed Poppy (P. dubium] are erect annual 



