WEEDS OF MEADOWS AND PASTURES 23 



troublesome. Its presence indicates that lime should be 

 applied. 



Another group of plants that are likely to run out the 

 grass in light soils in dry situations is that of the Five- 

 fingers or Cinquefoils of the great Rose family. The Com- 

 mon Cinquefoil, the Silvery Cinquefoil, and the Norwegian 

 Cinquefoil are the most abundant species. The Barren 

 Strawberry is closely associated with these in structure and 

 habit of growth, and is often found in the same situations. 

 The Cinquefoils have compound leaves composed of five 

 leaflets, while the leaves of the Barren Strawberry are com- 

 posed of but three leaflets. Like the common Wild Straw- 

 berry all these plants occupy increasing areas by send- 

 ing out runners just above the surface of the ground, the 

 runners starting new plants that take root and in turn 

 send out other runners. In this way the soil is soon 

 covered with a mat of plants that prevents the growth of 

 grasses. 



These low-growing weedy plants often furnish favorable 

 conditions of shade and moisture for the starting of larger 

 species like the St. Johnsworts and the Goldenrods. There 

 are various kinds of each of these, some of which often 

 render hilly pastures yellow with their bloom. Along with 

 them are likely to occur the white blossoms of the Yarrow 

 and the small flower heads of the Wild Asters. 



The presence of most of these weeds in light soils is an 

 indication of the need of soil improvement by tillage and 

 fertilization. 



Various kinds of Milkweeds, especially the Common 

 Milkweed, are likely to prove troublesome in pastures and 

 meadows. Such plants send out underground rootstocks 

 in all directions ; from these, vigorous new shoots come up 

 so that a strong colony is soon spreading outward to shade 



