97 



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Seeds of clover dodder and white clover, showing 

 relative sizes. Enlarged. 



Love Vine or Dodder 



This is the bright yellow or orange colored vine seen in various 

 uncultivated places running over the weeds or brush, or much 

 worse, in alfalfa fields. It is of the morning glory family, but when 

 well started fastens itself to the stalk of its host plant, its root 

 dies, and it becomes a parasite, drawing nourishment from the 

 plant supporting it. Fire is the only remedy. Cut and pile the 

 vine and host plantj put on more rubbish if obtainable, to cover 

 the whole patch, and burn, and do this before the dodder seeds. 

 Look out for it in alfalfa seed. You can detect it with a pocket 

 glass. 



Detection of the presence in commercial seed of dodder, irrespec- 

 tive of its kind, demands first consideration, because its presence 

 justifies refusal to purchase such seed. A magnifying glass is nec- 

 essary, as it will enable one to readily distinguish any kind of 

 dodder seed from clover, alfalfa, or flax seed. Dodder seeds are, 

 as a rule, about the same size as red clover seeds, including the 

 smallest and largest seeds. The surface is finely roughened and 

 dull, and the general form varies from nearly spherical to strongly 

 flattened and oval or nearly circular. The color is gray, yellowish 

 brown, or reddish brown, depending largely on the kind. In con- 

 trast, clover and alfalfa seeds are smooth, often with a slight 

 luster. Their triangular, oval, or kidney form aids in distinguish- 

 ing them from seeds of the dodder. 



Cockle Burr 



Never let it seed. It will perhaps need watching for several 

 years as the burrs, if buried several inches deep by the plow, lay 

 dormant in the ground, but grow when in subsequent years they 

 are thrown up nearer the surface. The oily nature of the seed 

 preserves it in the ground for years. 



