THE MUSTARD FAMILY 85 



Time of flowering: Throughout the season. At all times 

 of the year when it is not actually freezing, this plant is growing 

 and ripening its seeds. 



Propagation : By seeds. 



Occurrence: Throughout Canada, in all soils. The seed 

 is found in all small commercial seeds. 



Injury: It has an enormous power of propagation; a single 

 plant will ripen 50,000 seeds. It will thrive in all kinds of soil, 

 is of a succulent nature and absorbs much moisture. In meadows 

 which have been thinned by winter, the vigorous rosettes of 

 autumn-started plants will crowd out grass and clover. It is 

 frequently attacked by fungus diseases and harbours those 

 common to cabbage, turnips and other members of the Mustard 

 family. 



Remedy: The same general treatment as given for Pepper- 

 grass. Waste places should be cleared as far as practicable 

 and seeded to grass. It does not give serious trouble on lands 

 worked under a short rotation, with clean cultivation of hoed 

 crops. Sow clean grass and clover seeds. 



Grasse, thistle, and mustard seed, hemlock and bur, 



tine, mallow and nettle, that keep such a stur: 

 With peacocke and turkie, that nibbles off top, 



are very ill neighbors, to seely jxjor hop. 



Thomas Tusser, Five Hundreth Pointes of Htisbandrie, 1557. 



For Goose Tansey, or Hoare Tansey like Weed, I must needs make Proclamation 

 That he that can tell the destruction of it, shall show a very acceptable service; and for 

 my selfe I should be very thankfull for the Communication thereof, for I can say no more 

 than this. Never Plough your Land too long, nor out of heart or strength by no meanes, 

 for this occasioneth it to grow more thick and fruitfully; and also load your land hard 

 with cattle in the spring and when it doth grow high and strong. Mow it downe about 

 the end of Mid summer Moon, or in the dryest and hottest time of Summer, but the ear- 

 lier the better, and other meanes I can proscribe none other, but in all your Plowings 

 soyle it well with good Dung, and lay it down rich, and full of spirit, I hope some man 

 of exp)erience herein wiU help me. 



Walter Blith, The English Improver Improved, or The System of Husbandry Surveyed, 1652. 



