AMONG SCHOOL GARDENS 



Pigweed* 



much branched stem 

 and finely divided 

 leaves, and to throw 

 far and wide its acrid, 

 unpleasant perfume. 

 This is a cousin of 

 the imperial Roman 

 wormwood, the 

 "ambrosia,'' taunt- 

 ing name to hay 

 fever victims. 



In the garden soil 

 there are layers upon 

 layers of weed seeds 

 of different vitality 

 and constitutional 

 needs. '* If I uncover 

 the earth in my fields, ragweed and pigweed* 

 spring up; if these are 

 destroyed, honest grass 

 or quack grass or pur- 

 slane appears; the 

 spade or plow that 

 turns these under is 

 sure to turn up some 

 other variety, as chick- 

 weed, sheep sorrel or 

 goose foot."! Let us add the pretty smartweed, 



* Known also as bacon weed, lamb's quarters. There is also 

 rough pigweed. 



•j- Burroughs, John: A Year in the Fields, p. 137. 

 212 



Carpet Weed 



