Leaflets for Farmers.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 235, 7 April 1897, Page 2

Leaflets for Farmers.

Shepherd's Purse, Pickpocket (Capsella bursa pasioris.) By T. W. Kibk, F.R.M.S., F.L.S., &c. This is an annual plant, an introduction from Europe. It grows from a few inches np to 2ft in height ; the flowers are small and white, arranged in little clusters, and may be seen throughout the summer. The flattish, heart-shaped seed-cases are very striking, and are supposed to bear a resemblance to an old-fashioned rustic purse ; hence the appellation of " Shepherd's Parse." It has, however, another common name, evidently given by some very unsentimental farmer, who, owing to the prevalence and luxuriance of the weed, described it as a " Pickpocket," a designation which might in this colony well be applied to a large number of other plants. The leaves are of two forms : those of the root are spreading and pinnatifid ; those of the stem are narrow and clasping, with projecting ears ; all the margins are toothed. The Shepherd's Purse is now found in most agricultural countries. It is abundant both in cultivated land and in pastures, also by the wayside. Its seeds may frequently be detected in samples of agricultural seeds submitted for examination. On cultivated land it may be kept in check by the scarifiers, or similar implements. In pastures, especially on dairy farms, it should, if plentiful, be mowed before seeding ; the plant being annual, this treatment will soon result in its suppression. In grass lands it is particularly objectionable, for not only does it take the place of more useful plants, but, having a very pungent favour, and being regarded by cattle as a relish, it taints both milk and butter. It also acts as a nurse for two very destructive fungus pests of the kitchen garden — viz., the mildew of turnips and cabbages, &c. (Feronospora parasitiva, Pers.), and the white rust of cabbage?, &c. It is therefore desirable that this and other dangerous weeds should be kept down as much as practicable, in order that they may not interfere with the production of economic plants, either by robbing them of nourishment or by nursing fungus diseases through their hybernating state. Like many other plants which have gone out of favor and are now regarded as naught but weeds, the Shepherd's Purse was in olden days supposed to possess medicinal properties of value in certain internal complaints— blood splitting, bleeding at the nose, £c. When grown on rich soil it was, and is still, used in some parts of North America, China, and other countries as a green vegetable.