. The Indiana weed book. Weeds. 130 THE INDIANA WEED BOOK. close to the ground. They, as well as the stem leaves, have much the feeling of flannel, being covered with fine branching hairs that interlace and form a felt-like surface. This rosette aids in con- serving the water about the roots, the felt covering protecting the leaves from cold in winter and the fierce heat rays in summer, and also rendering them, unpalatable to sheep and cattle. The leaves in the rosette vary in length so as not to wholly cut off the sunshine one from another and those of the stem are directed upward so as to ca
. The Indiana weed book. Weeds. 130 THE INDIANA WEED BOOK. close to the ground. They, as well as the stem leaves, have much the feeling of flannel, being covered with fine branching hairs that interlace and form a felt-like surface. This rosette aids in con- serving the water about the roots, the felt covering protecting the leaves from cold in winter and the fierce heat rays in summer, and also rendering them, unpalatable to sheep and cattle. The leaves in the rosette vary in length so as not to wholly cut off the sunshine one from another and those of the stem are directed upward so as to cast little shade on those below. From the center of the rosette springs the stout flowering stalk of the second season. The rosette furnishes shelter and protection to many an insect during the long winter months. On one January day the writer found snugly at home, between and beneath the leaves of a single mullen, 4 cutworms. 7 chinch- bugs, 3 tarnished plant bugs and a number of others less injurious, enough to have produced 10,000 like themselves the next season. By keeping the farm and roadsides clear of mullen and similar plants, the number of injurious in- sects will be greatly lessened as they will lack suitable places to hibernate. In late summer, when the rosette and lower stem leaves are dead and the plant is nearly through its bloom- ing, the mullen stalk is a very rough and homely looking object, only the few golden yellow flowers at top showing a bit of beauty. There is no surer evidence of a negligent farmer than to see his fields overrun with these ungainly stalks. Producing as it does a vast number of seeds which will retain their vitality for years, the plant can only be kept down by killing be- fore its seeds ripen. This can best be done by deep cutting with hoe or spud in late autumn or early spring. The leaves and petals of the mullen are used extensively in medicine for coughs, catarrh, nervousness and inflammation. The dried leaves are said to be often smok
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectweeds, bookyear1912
