191 1-1 Identification and Eradication of Weeds. 751 



In the second stage seedling (Fig. 2, c) the hypocotyl may 

 have become yellowish or even tinged with red. The central 

 stem rises from between the cotyledons, and also a pair of 

 opposite branches — the stem is branched from the base. The 

 stems are rather angular and sparsely hairy. The leaves are 

 cauline, and, with the leaf-like stipules, are usually in whorls 

 of four; they are oblong-lanceolate, somewhat narrow at the 

 base and broad towards the apex, which terminates in a short 

 awn, while they are sparsely hairy, but regularly so round 

 the margins. 



The third stage seedling (Fig. 2, d) clearly shows the 

 branching character of the plant and the strong root-system, 

 ■•while the leaves and leaf-like stipules are now in whorls of 

 four to six, and the whole plant is rough to the touch. 



Mature Plant, — The grown plant is low and spreading in 

 habit — nearly prostrate — much branched, and with stems up 

 to about 18 inches in length. The leaves are narrow, obovate- 

 lanceolate, pointed, under an inch long, and, with the very 

 similar stipules, in whorls of four to six. The flowers are in 

 terminal sessile clusters, are individually about J- in. in 

 diameter, and lilac in colour; they open between April and 

 October. The fruits have been already described. 



Prevention and Remedy. — Care must be taken to prevent 

 the introduction of the seeds with clover and grass seeds. 

 The weed is an annual which must be combated by means of 

 surface cultivation from early spring onwards, by the free use 

 of the hoe, and by hand-pulling where it occurs in "seeds." 

 Clean cultivation and the growth of heavy crops should 

 suffice to keep this weed in abeyance. 



Cleavers . 



Cleavers {Galium Aparine, L.) is a well-known weed which 

 has received a large number of trivial names, among them 

 being Clithe, Cliver, Cliders, Goose-grass, Goosebill, Hariff, 

 Grip-grass, Catch-weed, Love-man, Scratch-weed, and Robin- 

 run-over-the-hedge, many of which bear obvious relation to 

 the rough clinging character of the weed. It is a weak, lanky, 

 straggling hook climber, and occurs on most soils on arable 

 land, being particularly troublesome among cereal crops, 

 especially on light loamy soils. It climbs among the corn for 



