Weeds. 



that have a more feeble root equipment. Such plants, too, are most 

 of ten perennial, and on this account are not easily overcome by those 

 methods of warfare which may be successfully employed against 

 annuals. Under favorable circumstances an annual weed may be ex- 

 terminated from a field by simply mowing it before it has had time to 

 perfect its seed. But not so a perennial. It may not be permitted to 

 renew itself by seed, yet it may reappear indefinitely by sending up 

 shoots from its roots or underground stems, if these are permitted to 

 remain in the ground. Such plants also have the advantage of an 

 early start in the spring. By this means they are able to monopolize 

 the ground they occupy to the exclusion of those plants which start 

 later in the season. The rule of " first come first served " is carried 

 out to the letter in this case, and the result often is that those not first 

 are not served at all. The wild carrot, burdock, dandelion and yellow 

 dock are examples of weeds that have long tap-roots which penetrate 

 the earth deeply, and therefore sustain the life of the plant success- 

 fully through protracted periods of dry weather. These roots make 

 it difficult to eradicate the plants, and if they are cut off at or near the 

 surface they quickly send up new shoots. When Canada thistles are 

 pulled from the ground they appear to have a long tap-root, but he 

 who expects to be rid of them by pulling them will be disappointed. 

 These long, deeply-penetrating roots are really upright branches from 

 deep-laid, horizontal root-stocks. These root-stocks are so deeply 

 buried that usually they are not disturbed by the plow nor affected by 

 dry weather. In due time they send their branches to the surface, 

 and a crop of thistles rises from the soil as if by magic. At the same 

 time the root-stocks are extending themselves horizontally and increas- 

 ing the area occupied by the thistles. This process can only be 

 stopped by destroying their life or by digging them out of the ground. 

 In this peculiar root-system we find an explanation of the great power 

 this plant has for mischief, of the great difficulty experienced in ex- 

 terminating it, or even in keeping it in subjection, and the real cause 

 of the unenviable reputation it has everywhere acquired. 



The plantain has fibrous roots which make up in number what they 

 lack in size. They do not penetrate the earth very deeply, consequently 

 the plant may sometimes be overcome by severe drought ; but the roots 

 cling to the soil most tenaciously, and the life of the plant is not easily 

 destroyed by ordinary means. If buried quite deeply by the plow it 

 will in time send its leaves to the surface again. It cannot easily be 

 dug up or pulled from the ground. It well merits a place among the 

 very troublesome weeds. The sheep sorrel (Rumez acetosella) has 



