222 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



ground, they retain their vitality for many years, germinating only when 

 brought near the surface of the ground. The stems of the foxtails grow 

 from one to four feet tall. The leaves are three to six inches long and are 

 rather wide, flat and smooth. The seed heads are from two to four inches 

 long. The seed is yellowish-brown in color, about one-tenth of an inch in 

 length and ovoid in shape. 



Control. — In grain fields the stubbles should be given surface cultiva- 

 tion or, if the soil is dry enough, burning over will destroy the seeds that 

 have fallen on the ground. 



In cultivated crops tillage should be continued very late, in order to 



prevent the development 

 and distribution of seed 

 from late-grown plants. 

 Sheep may be turned in to 

 graze down the aftermath 

 of infested meadows. 



Dodders. — There are 

 several kinds of dodders; 

 those found in this 

 country are known as 

 common dodder, field 

 dodder, clover dodder and 

 alfalfa dodder. 



They are annuals 

 and propagate by seed, 

 and are very peculiar 

 weeds because they live 

 upon other plants. From 

 their habit of growth they 

 are known as parasites. 

 The seeds of the 

 dodder germinate in the soil and the young plants soon perish unless 

 they come in contact with a clover or alfalfa plant. Once in contact 

 with a suitable host plant, the roots of the weed soon decay. The fine 

 yellowish and reddish stems twine about the host and spread from plant 

 to plant; a single dodder plant often growing on several different host 

 plants at the same time. 



This weed derives its nourishment by sending little suckers out into 

 the stems of the plant on which it grows. Dodders appear lifeless to the 

 casual observer as the leaves are reduced to mere scales. 



The white or pink flowers occur in clusters along the slender stems. 

 During the latter part of summer the cluster may contain flowers in bloom 

 and the matured seed at the same time. 



Small patches of dodder may result from a single seed. A patch can 



A B 



Field Dodder. Flax Dodder. 

 Seeds enlarged. 



Alfalfa Dodder. 1 



Blossom of 

 Alfalfa Dodder. 



i Courtesy of The Pennsylvania Farmer. 



