COMPOSITE 



THE FLOWER HEADS: one inch to two inches broad, con- 

 taining one hundred and fifty to two hundred flowers; the 

 inner bracts of the involucre linear or linear-lanceolate, 

 the outer shorter, turned back, all acute. 



THE FRUIT: achenes; pappus white. 



This cheerful, irrepressible weed needs no introduction. 

 When it appears in November or December, in the absence 

 of flower rivals, we pay it our compliments, but when in 

 the early spring we find its gayety spoiling our lawn, we 

 seek measures of extermination, and, if an unfortunate 

 Puff-ball appears, we go for it, tooth and nail. 



It is no solace that the young leaves may be used for 

 greens or salads, or that the plants, if popped into warm 

 water the instant after they have been gathered, keep 

 well and are decorative, or that they make excellent wine 

 and have medicinal qualities as a tonic. We must seek 

 means of extermination. Cutting off only acts as a stimu- 

 lant to the plant. A pinch of dry salt on the cut root 

 retards recovery. Chemical sprays kill the young plants, 

 but the old ones are not much affected. The best method 

 is to spray the lawn with copper or iron sulphate, which 

 does not injure the grass. But diligence must be your 

 watchword, whatever method you employ, if you would 

 have final success. 



It is interesting that the plant is protected from destruc- 

 tion by animals by its bitter, milky juice, which they dislike. 



COMPOSITE COMPOSITE FAMILY 



Sonchus oleraceus, L. 



Yellow Common Sow-thistle, Milky Tassel, 



Hare's Lettuce, Sevinie's Cole-wort, 



June-November Milkweed, Hare's Cole-wort. 

 Milk Thistle, 



Sonchus: Greek name for Sow-thistle. 

 Oleraceus: Latin, signifying greens. 

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