WEEDS OF ROADSIDES AND WASTE PLACES ii 



roadsides, to which they have escaped from gardens. 

 They are usually present in solid patches, which are to be 

 cleared away only by thorough digging of all the roots. 

 As a rule these are not likely to go so far afield or prove 

 so troublesome as certain of the aromatic herbs that 

 were formerly cultivated. Of the latter Yarrow, Tansy, 

 and Caraway are commonly most injurious. The seeds 

 of these may be scattered by the wind over considerable 

 areas. Consequently it is very 

 desirable that the small plants 

 be destroyed as soon as pos- 

 sible. 



Even some of the plants in 

 the vegetable garden may at 

 times escape from cultivation 

 and become troublesome. The 

 most notable illustrations of 

 this are found in Horse-radish, 

 Chicory, and Salsify or Vege- 

 table Oyster. The first named 

 reproduces only by vegetative 

 roots ; but Chicory and Salsify 

 produce seeds that scatter in 

 all directions, coming up as 

 weeds in situations favorable 

 to gi-owth. 



Not all of the plants, how- 

 ever, which are likely to take 

 possession of neglected bits of ground are to be classed 

 as whoUy noxious. For example the Sweet Clovers are 

 among the most abundant occupants of such soil, crowding 

 out other plants and developing a thrifty growth of leaves 

 and blossoms. The blossoms are a valuable source of 



Toadflax or Butter-and-Eggs 



