CHOOSING YOUR OWN WEEDS 179 



prosperity of hollyhocks, wherefore it is placed in 

 the index eradicatorius. It has the same merit 

 as the capsella, or shepherd's-purse; it doesn't 

 easily lose its head. But its tap-root is likely to 

 be forked, and outrageously long. And it will 

 blossom and fruit and raise a numerous and ener- 

 getic family in two inches above the ground; while 

 I have found stems two feet long in a pasture. It 

 nearly had legs ! 



Of wild carrot and chicory and golden-rod I 

 have had but few, even though my surroundings 

 are heavy with them. For each I have admiration 

 as a flower, and I promise myself a border or a row 

 or two of them specifically planted in good ground, 

 and kept within the assigned space. If any white 

 flower surpasses the wild carrot in dainty grace and 

 decorative value, I have not seen it. 



The lawn weeds I shall not write of until I take 

 up pen to confess my grass sins, which are many, 

 and to state my greensward hopes, which are only 

 moderately high. 



I have written above of the weeds I have chosen 

 to destroy. There are some plants that I want to 

 have take the place of the really weedy weeds; for 

 I have made the not very original discovery that 

 nature's disposition to get the ground covered is 

 worth working with, and not against. I'm willing 



