
A practical guide from the early 1900s, this bulletin was created for farmers, teachers, and anyone who handles seeds in Michigan’s fields and gardens. It offers meticulously drawn illustrations that rival any modern reference, each paired with concise scientific descriptions to help readers tell a weed from a useful crop. Even a modest hand lens becomes an essential tool when navigating the tiny details of seed morphology.
The text walks you through the most common troublesome plants—dandelions, burdocks, clovers, and many grasses—explaining how to recognize their seeds and avoid accidental sowing. A handy glossary decodes the technical terms, while a printable decimal measuring scale replaces outdated English units. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a curious student, the bulletin equips you with the knowledge to keep unwanted weeds at bay and protect the health of your harvest.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (130K characters)
Series
Bulletin 260, Michigan State Agricultural College Experiment Station, Division of Botany, March, 1910
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Betsie Bush, Dave Morgan, Leonard Johnson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2010-09-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1833–1924
A pioneering American botanist and educator, he helped shape scientific agriculture in the United States and is still remembered for a seed experiment that has lasted for well over a century. His work connected plant science, teaching, and practical farming in ways that reached far beyond the classroom.
View all booksby W. J. (William James) Beal