S90 



WEEDS : SPECIAL 



purity in samples of unmilled sainfoin seed and badly cleaned 

 cereals. 



PAPAVEEA.CB.S. — Poppies. — Very common annuals with 

 deep tap roots, pinnatifid leaves and scarlet flowers. 



There are three or four common species in corn-fields distin- 

 guished as follows : — 



(i) Witk smooth seed-capsules. 



Common Red Poppy {Papaver Rhceas L.). — The flower stalks 

 have spreading hairs on them, the seed capsule is smooth, and 

 about as long as it is broad. 



Long Smooth.-lieaded Poppy {P. dubium L.). — The hairs on 

 the flower sulk are pressed closely to it ; the capsule is smooth, 

 but two or three times as long as it is broad. 



(ii) With rough seed-capsules. 



Bound Rough-headed Poppy (P. hybridum L.). — The flowers 

 are i to 2 inches in diameter, with a black spot at the base of each 

 petal. The capsule is roundish or ovoid with spreading bristles. 



Long Rough-headed Poppy {P. Argemone L.). — The seed cap- 

 sule is similar to that of P. dubium, but rough with hispid 

 bristles. This species has small pale red flowers, the petals of 

 which are marked with a black spot at the base. 



The seeds are small and many of them liable to lie dormant in 

 the soil for several years, springing up whenever the season is 

 favourable. On this account poppies are difficult to abolish 

 completely when once allowed to seed. Damp wet weather in 

 spring helps the germination of the seeds, although the plants 

 flourish best in hot seasons. Good dressings of manures aid the 

 crops to choke them ; constant hoeing, the use of pure seed-corn, 

 and judicious fallowing of the land diminish their numbers. 



FTJMARIACE.ffi. — Common Fumitory (i^«war/a officinalis L.). 

 — An annual plant, growing about a foot to eighteen inches high, 

 with much divided leaves and raceme of rose-coloured irregular 

 flowers. Very common in corn crops on light sandy soils all 

 over the country. 



