WEEDS OF ARABLE LAND 63 



swede, occur as weeds of cultivated fields on practically 

 all soils, flowering from June to September. They 

 should be attacked in the same way as Charlock. 



Gold of Pleasure (Camelina sativa L.) is a slender 

 annual of 2 to 3 feet in height, branched above, with 

 small yellow flowers of \ inch in diameter, and some- 

 what egg-shaped inflated pods. Flowers appear in June 

 and July. This plant is an escape from cultivation, 

 and occurs sporadically among flax and in cornfields. 

 It is not troublesome in general agriculture. Hooker 

 states that the seeds are used for soap-maker's oils, oil- 

 cake, and for feeding poultry. Where plentiful, it should 

 be attacked vigorously with the hoe or by hand pulling. 



Shepherd's Purse (Capsella Bur sa- Pastor is DC.) is 

 found in almost all situations and at almost any time 

 of the year, flowering practically from early March to 

 early December. It is a branched, upright annual (Fig. 

 12), which attains nearly 18 inches in height ; the small 

 white flowers are placed on slender stalks, and are about 

 j 3 ^ inch in diameter ; the roots are long and tapering. 

 At the base of the stem a rosette of leaves is spread flat 

 upon the soil, the plant therefore demanding consider- 

 able space. Seeds are produced in large numbers, the 

 seed " pods " being somewhat peculiar in shape, almost 

 triangular, and much compressed laterally, resembling 

 a shepherd's " sporran." The flowers and pods easily 

 distinguish it from other weeds of the order. 



Shepherd's Purse is occasionally a troublesome pest, 

 especially on light land, occurring abundantly both in 

 field and garden. It grows rapidly and seeds freely in 

 hidden positions behind larger cultivated plants ; the 

 soil is often rapidly covered by young plants, which 

 frequently follow one another as fast as they are hoed 

 out. In addition, the weed, like other crucifers, serves 

 as a host for insect pests, and is specially liable to be 



