CHAPTER II 



The Weeds of Meadows and Pastures 



THE weeds of meadows and pastures that have been in 

 sod for many years are likely to be native species that 

 appear to be trying to bring the fields back to the original 

 condition of the untilled land. In a for- 

 est region, the land will revert to forest ; 

 in a plains region, it will revert to plains. 

 This is the natural result of neglect on 

 the part of the farmer ; nature is claim- 

 ing her own. 



The ways in which these fields are 

 brought back to the wild condition are 

 well worth studying. Go to such a neg- 

 lected pasture and notice how shrubs 

 and vines spring up along the sides of 

 fences, where seeds have been blown 

 by winds or left by birds. Notice how 

 these spread outward by means of seeds 

 and rootstocks. See how the untilled, 

 unfertilized sod is "run out," and re- 

 placed by mosses or ferns or other weedy growths, and 

 how the seeds of Hardback, Sweet-fern, and other plants 

 begin to grow in the moss. Then see how these low bushes 

 form a suitable shelter for poplars, birches, and other trees 

 to start, and how these in turn may shade the ground for 

 the early growth of larger trees. 



In the plains regions the plants will be different, but the 



13 



MILKWEED PODS 



