WEEDS OF GARDENS AND FIELDS 



33 



ing the ground with their spiked heads. When mowed off, 

 they send up new heads, which are able to develop close to 

 the soil surface. The seeds of the Foxtails are commonly 

 distributed in clover and millet seed, and so 

 are often sown with these. Persistent late 

 culture and hand weeding are the only effi- 

 cient means of checking these grasses. 



One or more kinds of Crab-grass or 

 Finger-grass are very likely to develop after 

 midsummer, especially in wet seasons or on 

 moist land. These have the peculiarity of 

 spreading their stems in all directions, the 

 stems striking roots into the soil whenever 

 in close contact with it. This makes the 

 plant difficult to eradicate, because any of 

 the rooted stems left will continue to grow. 

 Fortunately it is an annual and so does not retain posses- 

 sion from season to season. It is likely to develop in 

 neglected barnyards and thus have the seeds scattered with 

 the fertilizers. 



The seeds of the Barnyard Grass are also very likely to 

 be scattered in the way just mentioned. This is a tall coarse 

 plant, often reaching a height of three or four feet. It 

 frequently develops in com and potato fields late in summer, 

 getting its growth after cultivation ceases. It is compara- 

 tively easy to subdue by hand pulling. Under the name 

 Japanese Millet it has lately been added to the list of de- 

 sirable forage plants. 



SHEPHERDS PURSE 



Mustard Family 



Several abundant garden weeds belong to the Mustard 

 family. Wild Mustard or Charlock, Black Mustard, Wild 

 Radish, and Peppergrass are familiar illustrations. These 



