DANDELIONS. 9 
So cutting off the flowers does not destroy the dande- 
lion, it merely prevents seeds from forming, and more 
dandelions from starting. 
Dandelion roots kill the 
grass by pushing it aside and 
taking the earth-food for them- 
selves. 
So if dandelions get started 
in a lawn they will soon kill 
out the grass, and then there will be a dandelion 
lawn instead of a grass lawn ! 
A dandelion lawn is very beautiful for a little while 
in the early summer. Sometimes it looks like a carpet 
of gold, the yellow flowers are so thick and fine. But 
when they are done blossoming the lawn is a sorry 
looking sight. 
Dandelions do not trouble the hay fields, for where 
the grass is allowed to grow tall it soon smothers 
them. 
Boys are often hired to dig dandelion roots out of 
lawns, and near large cities poor women may often be 
seen digging them out for the sake of the young leaves 
which, when they first come up in the spring, make 
very good " greens." These people sell them or eat 
them instead of spinach. Tender young dandelion 
leaves are very good indeed, and some people like 
them better than spinach. 
