276 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



sturdy beggars with long tap roots, and many of them, sad to 

 say, seem to thrive best the more they are beheaded. 

 Here is a list of the commonest kinds : 



Nettle 



Thistle 



Bindweed 



Dandelion 



Dock 



Plantain 

 Daisy 

 Clover 

 Coltsfoot 

 Couch grass 



The only effectual method is to pull them out by the roots, and 

 at all costs to prevent them from spreading. It is a job that 

 requires much patience and a persistent determination, but it is 

 worth doing well. 



Annual weeds are best dealt with by the hoe. The most per- 

 sistent are the following : 



Chickweed 

 Speedwell 

 Shepherd's purse 

 Burdock 



Deadnettle 

 Groundsel 

 Charlock 

 Pimpernel 



These should be cut down mercilessly. For this purpose the 

 flat thrust or Dutch hoe may be recommended, especially if the 

 soil be light. Make a double stroke at each weed, the first near 

 the surface and the next lower down, so as to do as much damage 

 to the roots as possible. For heavy land the draw hoe will be 

 found most useful. 



The hoe can only be used effectually where the garden is cropped 

 in rows, and, especially between vegetables, it should be kept 

 constantly employed. For beds and borders hand-weeding is 

 the only method worth attempting, and this should be done 

 previous to the periodical forking up of the soil. 



It is a fatal mistake to allow weeds to flower. This will certainly 

 involve more trouble in the future, for the seed will be spread 

 broadcast, and the weeds will multiply themselves a hundred and 

 a thousand fold. The only safe precaution is to attack them as 

 soon as they appear, and to give them no mercy. And here the 

 value of good comradeship and co-operation among gardeners 

 becomes apparent. You yourself may attack your weeds as 



