The minute flowers, of a rich, deep purple-brown color, are packed smoothly and closely in a cone-shaped head, the base of which is surrounded by a single row of 12 or 15 rays; these rays are over an inch long, and are sometimes one-half wide, they are blunt-pointed with a notched top, their texture is silken and faintly shows the veins, and their color is of a noble full yellow. The head is set upon a mat made of a double row of overlapping, small, green parts, and is borne singly on the summit of the stalk, or branch. A ruthless invader of mowing lots where it makes a brilliant patch of color that may be discerned from afar, the farmer wages war on this handsome flower. It is not unusual to find it indulging in odd variations upon the established habit of blossoming, such as doubling the rows of rays, or with two or three heads bunched together, or set atop of one another. [Illustration: BLACK-EYED SUSAN: Rudbeckia hirta.] *Thoroughwort.* _Eupatorium perfoliatum._ *Boneset.* Found in roadside thickets, and the borders of copses, during July and August. The simple stalk, commonly about 2 feet high, sometimes grows to the height of 4 feet; it is large, strong-fibred, round, and hairy to the touch. In color pale green. The leaf is lance-shaped, with a long fine-pointed tip, and united at the base to the opposite leaf, completely encircling the stalk as though strung upon it; the margin is finely notched, the midrib stout, with many veins showing; the upper surface is rough, the underside is hairy. The color is a strong green. The pairs of leaves are set at right angles with each other, and at a considerable space apart. The flowers are small and feathery; greenish white. They are gathered in small tuft-like heads, and arranged in loose, leafy, terminal clusters, on short, stout, pale stems. A charming kink in the outline marks the joining of the leaves. The pleasant perfume of the blossoms is proclaimed by the frequent visits of the bees. Sometimes the flower-cluster spreads to an unexpected size; personal measurement has discovered a plant, but 18 inches in height, whose clustered bloom was fully a foot across. [Illustration: THOROUGHWORT: Eupatorium perfoliatum.] *Eupatorium.* _Eupatorium ageratoides._ *White Snake-root.* Found in rich moist soil, along the edges of woods and shaded roads, in August and September. The stalk (from 2 to 4 feet high) branches a little, and is leafy; it is large, strong, fine-fibred, and smooth. In color, pale green, tinged with dull purple. The leaf is large, broadly oval, taper-pointed, and widest at the base, with 3 marked ribs, a coarsely toothed margin, a thin texture, and smooth surface. The leaves are set on short stems, and are placed opposite each other on the stalk. The color is green.