“They’re hard to pull sometimes,” remarked Eleanor. “I’ll tell you how I know. We have just the tiniest lawn, and father gives me an ice-cream cone for pulling five cents’ worth of weeds.” “Isn’t that lovely of him!” Jack exclaimed. “Sometimes,” he went on, “it is not only for the sake of the plants you want to have grow that you destroy the weeds, but to protect yourself. For instance, you wish to kill out all poisonous plants; such as— POISON IVY The leaves of poison ivy, if touched, will provoke a painful, poisonous rash on the skin of most people. This is caused by the irritating, acrid juice in the leaves. This juice probably protects the plant—for instance, no cattle will enjoy eating it. [Illustration: POISON IVY] Thousands of cases of ivy poison could be avoided if everyone knew the plant. Remember, the poison ivy vine has three leaves on a stem, while its harmless and beautiful cousin, Virginia Creeper, which resembles it so much, has five leaves on a stem. Jack stepped forward and showed the girls the difference in the leaves, just as they are pictured here. They examined them carefully. “I think I’ll never mistake poison ivy for that other plant,” said Eleanor. “I hope not,” Bet chimed in, “for I am so fond of— VIRGINIA CREEPER This plant is a native of America, growing everywhere from Canada southward even to Cuba. It makes a charming decorative vine on wall and fence. It will soon repay one for the trouble of carrying a root home from the woods, for it easily takes root in a new place, and everyone is delighted with its magnificent brilliant red foliage in the Autumn. “That sounds like a book, Bet,” exclaimed Jack. “I think the most interesting thing about Virginia Creeper is the tiny hand-like ‘clingers’ with which it holds on to the wall or fence.” “I was going to tell that, Mr. Jack,” Bet replied; “but, never mind, I want to tell about— SOME WAYS IN WHICH PLANTS PROTECT THEMSELVES You remember that I told you that the “velvet” fur of the great mullein keeps animals from eating the leaves? Well, perhaps you’ve never thought of it, but the prickles of the rose and blackberry and the thorns of some trees prevent their being destroyed many and many a time. “Indeed, I know,” laughed Mary Frances. “No one will ever see me try to pick a wild cactus!” “Or nettles?” asked Jack, pretending to pick splinters from his hand. “I hope your garden never has more weeds than we saw when we were over there in the moonlight last evening,” he went on. “Why, were you in my garden?” Mary Frances was amazed. “It looked splendid,” beamed Bet. “We will come often,” Jack added, “and if we never see more weeds than last evening, you’ll be growing wonderful vegetables and flowers.” “Feather Flop—” Mary Frances began, then she thought perhaps she’d better not mention the rooster.