130 



THE INDIANA WEED BOOK. 



close to the ground. They, as well as the stem leaves, have much 

 the feeling of flannel, being covered with fine branching hairs that 

 interlace and form a felt-like surface. This rosette aids in con- 

 serving the water about the roots, the felt covering protecting the 

 leaves from cold in winter and the fierce heat rays in summer, and 

 also rendering them, unpalatable to sheep and 

 cattle. The leaves in the rosette vary in 

 length so as not to wholly cut off the sunshine 

 one from another and those of the stem are 

 directed upward so as to cast little shade on 

 those below. From the center of the rosette 

 springs the stout flowering stalk of the second 

 season. 



The rosette furnishes shelter and protection 

 to many an insect during the long winter 

 months. On one January day the writer 

 found snugly at home, between and beneath the 

 leaves of a single mullen, 4 cutworms. 7 chinch- 

 bugs, 3 tarnished plant bugs and a number of 

 others less injurious, enough to have produced 

 10,000 like themselves the next season. By 

 keeping the farm and roadsides clear of mullen 

 and similar plants, the number of injurious in- 

 sects will be greatly lessened as they will lack 

 suitable places to hibernate. In late summer, 

 when the rosette and lower stem leaves are 

 dead and the plant is nearly through its bloom- 

 ing, the mullen stalk is a very rough and 

 homely looking object, only the few golden 

 yellow flowers at top showing a bit of beauty. 

 There is no surer evidence of a negligent 

 farmer than to see his fields overrun with these ungainly stalks. 

 Producing as it does a vast number of seeds which will retain their 

 vitality for years, the plant can only be kept down by killing be- 

 fore its seeds ripen. This can best be done by deep cutting with 

 hoe or spud in late autumn or early spring. 



The leaves and petals of the mullen are used extensively in 

 medicine for coughs, catarrh, nervousness and inflammation. The 

 dried leaves are said to be often smoked like tobacco to relieve nasal 

 catarrh and affections of the throat, and an infusion of the roots 

 is a popular country remedy for malaria. In gathering the leaves 

 and petals for sale both should be collected when the plant is in 



Fig. 93. (After Henkel.) 



