2go Identification and Eradication of Weeds, [july, 



apex being divided into three or four teeth ; the leaf stalks are 

 concave above ; and the leaf has clearly marked veins or ribs 

 running from the base to the teeth at the top of the leaf. 



As the seedling grows (Fig. i, d) the cotyledons expand 

 considerably until about \ in. longbyy 3 ^ in. broad (12*5 mm. 

 long by 7*5 mm. broad). The true leaves are now larger, 

 shield-shaped to triangular, with an increased number of 

 teeth, while the later leaves are more and more deeply cut until 

 trifid, each portion being toothed or lobed. All leaves are 

 smooth. 



Mature Plant. — The mature plant resembles the buttercups 

 generally, the leaves being variably segmented and toothed, 

 and the flowering stems 1-2 ft. high. The flowers are pale 

 yellow, about ^ in. in diameter, and open from May to July. 



Prevention and Remedy. — Care should be taken to sow 

 cereal grain and unmilled sainfoin, which are free from the 

 seeds of Corn Buttercup. The weed when present may be 

 combated (1) by surface cultivation in spring to encourage 

 germination of the seeds, when the seedlings may be destroyed 

 by means of harrows and the hoe; and (2) by hoeing out or 

 hand-pulling older plants before seeding occurs. 



Common Fumitory. 



The weed known as Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis, L.) is an 

 annual of 1-1J ft. in height, but rather prostrate in habit. It 

 is at times very plentiful on light sandy, calcareous and loamy 

 soils, and may prove exceedingly troublesome. Brenchley 

 found that in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire it is character- 

 istic of chalk land, and is occasionally "so prevalent on chalk 

 that it is necessary to hand cultivate to get rid of it in order 

 to save the crop. This is notably the case in the Maiden's 

 Bower, an old Roman encampment near Dunstable." * 



Holdich observes of fumitory: "This is a very common 

 weed on certain light, sandy soils ; it indicates the want of 

 manure, and the neglect of the drill or row mode of culture." t 



Seeds. — The seeds of fumitory are enclosed singly in a 



* Journal of the Board cf Agriculture, April, 191 1, p. 24. 



f An Essay on the Weeds of Agriculture, Benjamin Holdich. Edited by 

 G. Sinclair, 3rd ed., 1825. 



