226 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



The spray to be effective must be applied before the grain begins to head x 

 and before the weeds bloom. 



Lamb's-Quarters. — Lamb's-quarters is sometimes known as smooth 

 pigweed or white goosefoot. This weed is a very common annual through- 

 out the world. It is commonly found in cultivated fields, orchards and 

 gardens. 



Lamb's-quarters is distinguished by its upright grooved and many 

 branched stem. The stems are often striped with purple. The plant is a 

 rapid grower and attains a height of from two to four feet. The leaves are 

 quite variable as to size and shape, the lower ones on the stock being com- 

 paratively large and irregular, while the 

 upper ones are rather small and narrow. 

 The small greenish flowers are borne 

 on the ends or in the axils of the branches. 

 The entire plant presents a silvery gray 

 or mealy appearance which distinguishes 

 it from the true pigweed. The seed is 

 about one-twentieth of an inch in diam- 

 eter, lens-shaped and a, dull black color. 

 The seeds have long vitality, lying dor- 

 mant in the soil for many years. 



The control of lamb s-quarters is 

 similar to that of pigweed. In hoed 

 crops the weed is very persistent and 

 cultivation should be continued until late 

 in the season. In gardens and other 

 small areas the weed should be pulled or 

 chopped out while young. 



Since the plants are very succulent 

 while young, sheep may be used to 

 pasture them where conditions will per- 

 mit. Cultivation in the late summer or fall will germinate seed remaining 

 in the soil which will eliminate the seed that may germinate the next 

 year. 



Wild Mustard or Charlock. — The cruciferse or mustard family con- 

 tains a large number of weeds, of which the wild mustard and tumbling 

 mustard are the most troublesome. The plants of this family may be 

 recognized by the shape of the flowers, which consist of four petals arranged 

 like arms of a cross. This character was used as the basis for naming the 

 family. 



Wild mustard, because of its immenss productiveness and the exceed- 

 ingly long vitality of its seeds, is one of the most difficult weeds to dislodge. 

 It is an annual plant, which in its earlier stages of growth bears some 

 resemblance to the radish or yellow-fleshed varieties of the turnip. It 



1 Courtesy of The Pennsylvania Farmer. 



Lamb's-Qtjartebs, or Smooth 

 Pigweed (Chenopodium album). 1 



A — Root. 



B — Seed enlarged three times 

 natural size. 



