AMONG SCHOOL GARDENS 



and prickly seed-pod and its luxuriant growth, is 

 liable to appear in any garden made from a vacant 

 lot. Then there are the speedwell with its very 

 tiny white flowers, the galinsoga, also with little 

 white flowers and rough leafage, — new importa- 

 tions that threaten our garden kingdoms, — while 

 our own evil poison ivy frequently crops up.* 



On farms and large areas, special means may 

 be used to eradicate certain weeds, as spraying 

 for wild mustard. There are some chemical prepa- 

 rations that used in 

 small quantities will 

 kill weeds in walks 

 and grass and yet 

 not injure the latter. 

 The only absolute 

 remedy since all 

 ^ ^ , _ J, gardening began is 



First Years Growth of Broad- ^ • ^ 



LEAVED Dock frequent tillage. On 



tiny plots the cul- 

 tivating stick, on small beds the hoe; on larger 

 plots the wheelplow and on large tracts of land 

 the horse or traction machine are needed. "The 

 weeds are not easily discouraged; they never 

 lose heart entirely; they die game; if they can't 

 have the best, they will take up with the poorest . 

 ... in all cases they will make the most of their 



under poisonous plants; consequently it is well to warn the children 

 not to put any part of it into their mouths. 



♦ See note at end of this chapter for this plant and for popular 

 names of common weeds. 



214 



