34 FARM FRIENDS AND FARM FOES 



are all found in gardens more or less, though the Mustards 

 are more likely to be troublesome to grain and forage 

 crops. 



The Shepherd's Purse is one of the garden weeds most 

 likely to develop early in the season. It is able to do this 

 because it is a winter annual, developing the autumn be- 

 fore into a rosette of low- lying leaves. In spring it sends 

 up its slender central stalk, along the lower and middle 

 parts of which are a few narrow leaves, some having curi- 

 ously incised margins, while along the upper part are the 

 small white flowers, crowded together toward the top. 

 These develop into the purse-shaped seed pods, borne on 

 the ends of slender stems. 



This familiar plant is commonly found wherever a few 

 inches of waste ground give it an opportunity to grow. 

 Tillage late in autumn or early in spring is the best way to 

 destroy it. 



Pink Family 



One or more species of Chickweed are so widely distrib- 

 uted that they occur in almost every garden. The Smooth 

 Chickweed is known by its smooth leaves and stems, and 

 its minute white flowers with the green pistils longer than 

 the petals. It is a winter annual. The Mouse-ear Chick- 

 weed is known by its hairy leaves. Technically there are 

 two species known by the latter name ; one of these is a 

 perennial. 



These Chickweeds multiply by spreading over the sur- 

 face of the soil as well as by seeds which are produced in 

 abundance throughout the season. They are comparatively 

 easy to keep in check by proper tillage. 



During the latter part of summer, the heart of the care- 

 less gardener is often vexed by the rapid growth of the 



