136 CABYOPHYLLACEAE (PINE FAMILY) 



sules ovoid, three-celled, and as soon as ripe the partitions break 

 away from the central axes, spilling the many fine, brown, kidney- 

 shaped seeds into the soil. (Fig. 87.) 



Means of control 



Prevent seed development by frequent hoe-cutting. After the 

 harvesting of corn, potatoes, or other hoed crops, harrow the ground 

 so as to destroy the later growth of weed seedlings. 



SPURRY 



Spergula arvensis, L. 



Other English names: Corn Spurry, Sandweed, Pickpurse. 

 Introduced. Annual or winter annual. Propagates by seeds. 



Time of bloom: June to August. 



Seed-time: July to September. 



Range : Throughout eastern United States 

 and Canada. 



Habitat: Cultivated ground; grain and 

 clover fields. Prefers dry soil, and is 

 sometimes grown on such land as a 

 forage plant for sheep. 



So rapid is the growth of this weed that 

 a field of young turnips or carrots may be 

 swiftly smothered by it ; young grasses 

 and clovers, too, sometimes find it too 

 aggressive. 



Stems six to eighteen inches tall, slen- 

 der, erect, bright green, branching from 

 the base, growing from slender, branching 

 roots. Leaves one to two inches long, 

 linear or awl-shaped, apparently whorled 

 at the joints of the stem but really growing 

 in two opposite clusters of six to eight, 

 with small stipules between. Flowers in 

 terminal cymes; calyx of five sepals, 

 persistent ; petals white and longer than 

 88. Com Spurry the sepals, open only in sunshine ; stamens 

 (Spergula anensis). x i. five or ten; styles five. The thread-like 



