22 



FARM FRIENDS AND FARM FOES 



flower heads appear. A single plant may produce three 

 thousand seeds which are likely to be carried but a short 

 distance. Consequently a dense colony will soon be pres- 

 ent, crowding out all other vegetation. Pulling the plants, 

 frequent mowing, or tillage in a hoed crop seem to be the 

 only remedial methods. The sowing of pure grass and 

 clover seed is the most important preventive measure. 



The Ribwort, Rib-grass, or Narrow-leaved Plantain is one 

 of the most trying pests that infest light soils. It is com- 

 monly introduced in clover and grass seed and soon de- 

 velops a thickened rootstock that renders it very difficult 

 to eradicate. On account of this rootstock it is a peren- 

 nial, so that the mere prevention of seeding will not lead 

 to extermination; the roots must be pulled up, cut off 



deeply, or plowed under. 



On barren sandy lands 

 in meadows and pastures 

 as well as in cultivated 

 fields, the Sheep Sorrel or 

 Field Sorrel is Hkely to take 

 complete possession of the 

 soil. This well-known weed 

 is an indication of poor 

 farming, and the best way 

 to eradicate it is to enrich 

 and till the infested areas. 

 Its seed is very commonly 

 distributed in barnyard fer- 

 tilizers, as well as in other 

 ways, and the plant is likely 

 to appear in any neglected 

 spot where the soil is acid. It is so easily eradicated 

 by good methods of farming that it need never become 



Sheep Sorrel 



