THE WEED problem: INSECTS, ETC. 7I 



They show a great tendency to occupy soil 

 of a somewhat heavy nature, especially one 

 that is insufficiently drained. The work of 

 removal should be accomplished in the early 

 spring before the plants have come into 

 flower. There are two species of plantain 

 which are sufficiently well known, the one 

 having narrow leaves six to seven inches long 

 and half an inch wide, commonly called rib 

 grass; the other having shorter, much wider 

 leaves, strongly marked with the parallel 

 veins or ribs. The plantains make a strong 

 root, but do not penetrate so deeply as the 

 dandelion. They throw out more lateral 

 rootlets which are strong and wiry, and gen- 

 erally it is necessary to make a pretty wide cut 

 in order to remove the plant properly. 



If it is not convenient to cut out the entire 

 root they may be killed, after the crown has 

 been removed, by poison. A crystal of sul- 

 phate of iron, (green vitriol) placed on the 

 top of the cut surface will dissolve and kill 

 the root which is left behind. Such treat- 

 ment, however, is not generally recom- 

 mended, as there is danger of strong corrosive 

 chemicals doing damage to the grass roots 

 by spreading in solution in the soil and neces- 



