GARDEN SPECIALTIES 231 



various parts of the United States, but it is per- 

 haps nowhere cultivated except in France. In 

 France, however, a successful attempt has been 

 made to produce a dandelion that has much 

 thicker, larger, and more abundant leaves than 

 those of the wild plant. This developed form is 

 sometimes cultivated there and attains a certain 

 value as a market vegetable. 



The great difficulty which stands in the way of 

 cultivation of the dandelion is its exceeding pro- 

 lificness. The heads of the flower will ripen even 

 when the plant has been pulled up by the roots. 

 It is even alleged that the plant will develop seed 

 when the flowers are not pollenized. This and 

 the capacity to ripen seeds from the unopened 

 bud makes the plant difficult to eradicate, and it 

 becomes an almost intolerable pest in lawns. 



Should an attempt be made to cultivate the 

 dandelion, therefore, the aim should be to develop 

 the leaves at the expense of the flower. Doubt- 

 less it would require long series of experimental 

 efforts, but in the end it would probably be pos- 

 sible to develop a dandelion that would produce 

 an abundance of large, succulent leaves some- 

 what as the lettuce does. Meantime the tendency 

 to excessive flower production could be restricted. 



At least two other members of the Composite 

 family that rank as weeds, and are generally held 



