No matter how large and luscious a garden strawberry is, somehow its aroma cannot begin to compare with that of the Wild Strawberry growing in a sunny woodland clearing.

As the scientific name indicates, Sweet Woodruff is a truly aromatic plant. The odour of the drying top parts is caused chiefly by glycosides of a crystalline substance called coumarin, which is also found in numerous grasses.

The smell of coumarin is the characteristic scent of hay, and it is this aromatic quality which has led to the use of coumarin in the manufacture of tobacco.

This is a substance which can be used medicinally to reduce the clotting properties of blood. Excessive use of the drug may cause poisoning and even death; in small doses, however, it has a sedative effect. The top parts of the plant are also used as an aromatic in the home production of liqueurs.

Sweet Woodruff has leaves arranged in whorls. The lowest usually consist of six to seven leaves, those at the top of the stems of eight or nine. The stem is four-angled, erect, hairless, and smooth. The leaves are deep green but turn darker in dry weather, which is when the odour of coumarin is most marked. This perennial herb, about 10-30 cm high, has long rhizomes which enable it to multiply by vegetative means.

However, there is one thing all three have in common - the real fruit of the strawberry is not the berry itself, the fleshy receptacle, but the small achenes which project from and cover its entire surface.

Wild Mustard does not finish up in processed form on the dining table. The seasoning is made from other species, mainly Black Mustard (Brassica nigra) and White Mustard (S. alba), although all mustards contain similar substances such as fats, essential oils, and glycosides.

The Wild Radish is noted for its rapid growth, enabling it to outdistance grain crops shortly after sprouting. In the process it naturally takes up many nutrients and much water from the soil thus undermining the field crops.

Originally a native of the Mediterranean region, it spread with the seeds of cultivated plants and its range is now practically worldwide. Cultivated mustard (black and white) was introduced to the northern parts of Europe by the Romans and later by the monks of mediaeval monasteries.

Although the genus Raphanus includes a. number of excellent vegetables, Wild Radish - an irritant to the gut - is not suitable as fodder. After the flowers have faded it is slightly poisonous to livestock.

Gallant Soldier is a 10-70 cm-high herb with a branched stern, smooth at the base and covered with light down at the top. Hairy Galinsoga (G. ciliata/Ral/Blake) differs in having a stem which is densely attired with hairs along its entire length. Also, its flowers are larger than those of its small-flowered relative. Both species flower from May till October. The fruit is an achene.

Since World War II it has become apparent that Gallant Soldier is being crowded out of its adopted European homeland by Hairy Galinsoga. This may be partly due to the fact that modern farming methods provide more

Believe it or not, Wedding Dresses were not always white. That tradition really got it’s start in Victorian England with the marriage of Queen Victoria to her cousin Albert in 1840. By marrying in a white wedding dress Queen Victoria influenced the custom of choosing white because, white was the “emblem of an unsullied heart and the purity and innocence of girlhood.”

By the 1890’s the idea that wedding dresses had to be white was re-enforced by publications such as the ‘Ladies Home Journal’ who wrote; “from times immemorial the bride’s gown has been white”. Which of course was complete nonsense but the idea a wearing white on their wedding day was embraced by thousands of blushing brides! The arrival of the department store made it possible for almost every woman to realize her dream of being married in a “new” wedding dress.

Leave it to the frontier brides of the Wild, Wild West to be practical and choose a wedding dress that, with a few alterations, could be worn again after the wedding day. (After all, the new bride would have to chop wood, pluck chickens and maybe shoot an Indian or two and a white dress would be so impractical

With the outbreak of WWI styles became simpler, and reflected the changing role of women in society with hems getting shorter and disposing of those horrible, tightly laced corsets! A white knee length wedding dress worn with a long train was introduced by Coco Chanel further cementing the ‘tradition’ of white as the universal color of the wedding dresses.

Throughout WWII, women calculated it their obligation to renounce the conventional wedding. a quantity of brides were engaged for merely a few weeks or even days previous to the wedding got locate, not leaving many time to retrieve a wedding dress. Wedding dresses were frequently rented or borrowed for the ritual. If both the bride and groom were in the military they were matrimonial in their personal dress which would have been unlikely a generation past!

The riches following the war made it likely for the grand fairy story weddings to once more be a realism and brides soared down the aisle on their wedding day in white silk and lace wedding dresses inspired by Grace Kelly’s opulent marriage ceremony to the Prince of Monaco.

By the Middle Ages, Sun Spurge was already to be found in herbariums under the name E. helioscopia, although the Latin word helioscopia, meaning to follow the sun, is something of a misnomer in that the flowers of this plant do not actually follow the sun’s path in the sky.

Cyanus, the botanical name designating the species, recalls the nymph Cyane, daughter of the river god Meiandros: she was changed into a dark blue spring whose waters fed the small brook Anapis near Syracuse.

Now a cosmopolitan plant, Thornapple is one of twenty-five species of the genus Datura native mostly to the tropics. It was carried to the west largely by nomadic tribes. In the late sixteenth century it was introduced into Innsbruck and Vienna, and here in Central Europe soon became established in the wild. It was, of course, used as a hallucinogenic drug: seeds placed on hot coals caused intoxication in people inhaling the smoke, and this fact’ is reflected in the name by which the plant is still known in some parts of France - Herbe aux sorciers.

In Arab countries, Thornapple was added to drinks and tobacco to produce similar euphoric effects. Today, it remains an effective ingredient in anti-asthmatic preparations.

The Cornflower is an overwintering herb multiplying only by way of its seeds. The arrangement of the flowerheads is a biological flower. The marginal ligulate florets are sterile, lacking both stamens and pistils, and serve to attract insects. The central florets are fertile. The flowerheads are firmly anchored in an involuere composed of stiff bracts with membranous margins. The filaments of the stamens in the tubular florets which form the central disc react to mechanical stimuli and contract immediately when an insect alights. This movement aids in pollinating the flowers. The flowering period is from June till autumn.

The seeds have a fleshy outgrowth which is a favourite food of ants and this is a factor contributing to the plant’s dispersal. Unlike Sun Spurge, Dwarf Spurge (E. exiqua L.) has small linear leaves.

Plant names often develop in a tortuous way. Common Fumitory is a good example: its leaves resemble those of rue, and, because it grows in poor ground, fallow land, waste places, and the like, this plant was originally dubbed ‘field rue’ (Erdrautc or Feldraute) in some parts of Germany.

Chamomile is a weed of root and grain crops, but it also grows in stubble fields, on village greens, by the wayside, and on bare ground alongside the fields. Occurring in lowlands and foothills, it is a native of Europe but was introduced to North America and Australia.

Creeping Buttercup and the related Corn Crowfoot (R. arvensis L.) are poisonous to cattle, particularly in the fresh state. If either of these two plants are eaten in great quantity, death can ensue within half an hour. In practice, however, grazing ,cattle avoid buttercups, so there is only a risk if these plants find their way into fodder. Toxicity is decreased or eliminated entirely by drying.

This species is just as aromatic but the flowerheads are composed only of yellow-green tubular flowers; the white ray flowers are absent. It is a native of North America but has spread to other continents.

The annual or overwintering Corn Crowfoot is an upright branching plant, 10 -40 cm high, with small lemon-yellow or green flowers.

Its flowerheads have a semiconical receptacle instead of a conical one and the white ray flowers do not curve downwards.

The colourful clovers and trefoils, members of the genus Trifolium, are important as forage, although some may be weeds of field crops. Hop Trefoil, however, is a small plant which causes little damage in fields. Light-seeking, it is a typical plant of stubble, but also grows in meadows, in ditches alongside paths, and in scanty hedgerows. It is usually found in poor soils.

Another small field species often growing in sandy and gravelly soils (but in warmer regions than Hop Trefoil) is Hare’s-foot Trefoil (T. arvense L.). It, too, requires light and is mostly found in stubble, although it also grows in sunny hedgerows even in quite acid soils. It is not generally present in limestone regions.

Both these trefoil species are native to Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa, and both have been introduced to North America. At one time various species of Trifolium were used in the study of the autonomous movements of plants and their organs. In darkness the leaves are able to move within a range of as much as 120 .

T. campestre is one of the few yellow species of the genus. It grows to a height of 10 -30 cm. The flowers are borne on erect stalks in heads of twenty to thirty flowers which turn brown when spent. The flowering period is from June until autumn for plants which have germinated in spring; or only in spring for plants which have germinated the previous autumn. This, then, is an annual or overwintering plant multiplying only by means of seeds.

T. arvense is called Hare’s-foot (sometimes Cat’s-foot) Trefoil because of the thickly haired calyx (3). It is this which, after the fading of the white or pale pink flowers, makes the dead flowerhead look like a small tuft of whitish fur. This species is also an annual or overwintering plant.

Milfoil is an interesting plant of the composite family. The flowerheads are not numerous. They usually consist of only five strap-shaped florets and a greater number of tubular florets, and the fruit is an achene.

Coming up with a great business idea doesn’t have to be difficult or complex. It can actually be relatively easy if you have the focus to be more self-aware during your daily activities. World-changing business ideas have come from all kinds of everyday people, not just the smart or the educated.

The trick to coming up with a good business idea is to force yourself to be more cognizant of daily problems and inconveniences. By being more aware of these issues you are tuning your mind to come up with creative solutions to them. Believe it or not, most people simply do not do this.

It seems like a large majority of the population is content to simply push through life and all its inconveniences with blinders on. They are focused solely on marking time and completing their daily checklists. The routine is so consuming for these types that they have neither the inclination nor the time to dream up fresh and unique solutions.

Unfortunately, these kinds of people almost never come up with great business ideas because there is little time in their day for pause or reflection. It really is true that ideas and solutions arise to meet emerging needs in the marketplace. If your mind is not prepared and receptive to inspired solutions, however, you have little chance of discovering that next big thing.

You must devote yourself to a new mindset that allows more time for thinking about solutions to the problems in your day-to-day existence. Brainstorm creative ways to eliminate wasted steps in a daily task that is chewing up too much of your time. Reflect on how to reduce the complexity of a constant chore that you really hate doing.

For example, there are pet waste removal services popping up all over the country. This is a task that pet owners absolutely loathe because its disgusting and time-consuming. Apparently, though, it never occurred to anyone until recently that a service to address this problem could be a profitable venture.

Along a similar vein, look no further than the GPS dog collar as a great product idea that arose from a familiar problem. Who among us hasn’t lost a dog or known someone who has? Yet only recently did someone have the level of reflection required to recognize that this was an inconvenience that could be easily addressed with modern technology.

As you can see, sometimes the best ideas come from the worst or most boring events in our lives, if only we have the open-mindedness to receive them. It really comes down to having a more positive and constructive mindset. View problems as potential opportunities and before long you should start coming up with some truly great business ideas.

Stout dahlia branches loop may be prevented by driving in additional supports in a triangle round each plant, some little way from the stem to avoid damaging roots, pointing outwards at the top. These supports need not be as stout as the central stake, and even quite light canes may be used.

It follows that it is advisable to take plants struck at different times if a wide variation in blooming period is required, and to pinch the tops out at varying times. This will ensure, not so much that a bloom on a particular plant will be ready at a certain date, but that blooms will be available at that date, rather than a big flush of blooms all within a few days of each other, which might he at a period when there is not a suitable show.

It is also possible by careful timing to ensure that the majority of plants can be induced to flower around a given date, by stopping plants of one variety at intervals of a few days, but to apply this system effectively it is essential to build up a considerable knowledge of the potential of all varieties grown.

The second is the removal of all pests. The dahlia is peculiarly susceptible to attack at this time; earwigs and slugs in particular will completely ruin a plant in a matter of days if allowed complete freedom. Slug bait should be used and the plant dusted or sprayed at intervals with Gamma B.H.C., or a similar insecticide. B.H.C. is recommended because this is also effective against aphides. There are a number of branded insecticides on the market containing this.

Although this may seem a great deal of trouble, it is better to take such precautions than to have the heartbreaking sight of a strong healthy branch broken off later in the season, particularly on a plant well thinned out for giant blooms of exhibition quality. For the same reason it is essential to tie in the branches as these develop, and this is a task that must never be neglected.

If several canes are used it is simple; all that is needed is a circle of string round plants and canes to hold all in place. If only one stake is provided the developing growth should be carefully looped back to this, striving to provide support but at the same time keeping the plant open to allow the free circulation of air through the foliage and also to prevent bunching of flowers when these appear. Overcrowding can only lead to bruised and malformed florets. If the stakes have been wired together some of the branches could he secured to the supporting wires. Where a cane has been provided for each branch all that is needed is a simple loop of string round branch and stake at regular intervals.

It is not possible here to give more than a general outline of the principles underlying timing, but as an approximation it can be assumed that a burl is formed on a giant decorative approximately six weeks after stopping, provided the plant at the time is in a fit state to be stopped, as explained earlier in the chapter, and that it will take a further four weeks for this bud to expand to the maximum sized bloom.

Some of the branches are secured direct to these additional canes, whilst the rest are retained by making a tie right round the outside of the canes. In the case of the giant cactus and clecoratives provide a supporting cane for every stem.

This is however a rather expensive method if a large number of plants are grown, and some growers simply wire the rows of stakes together with stout galvanised wire, stayed at each end to keep the rows taut. Some branches are looped back to the main stake, others are looped to the wire, and an odd cane or two provided for those branches which would be damaged if forced back in this fashion. It is important in any case to ensure that no branch is forced too far out of position as it is likely that this will cause it to be unseated from its socket.

To prevent branches from being forced out of the socket by their own weight (this is particularly prevalent in branches developing low on the main stem), it is an excellent plan to insert short lengths of cane exactly parallel with each branch and to tie the branch to this support. This will give ample support until such time as the branch becomes long enough to be secured in the normal fashion to the main stake or wires.

Once the dahlias start to grow strongly the question of staking and tying will become of increasing importance. The central stake, unsupported, is seldom sufficient, unless very stout, when the developing branches may be simply looped back to it by soft string.

If, however, the strict application of this principle would mean that a stout shoot would be removed and a very weak or damaged shoot retained, it is good sense to vary a little from the automatic selection in such instances and retain the better of the pair. It might even be necessary to remove both shoots and retain growth lower down the plant, or even to retain two shoots developing at the same level. This procedure is only a guide.

For the same reason it is best to leave this de-branching until the side shoots have reached a reasonable length, say some 4 to 6 in. long, before attempting to remove surplus growth. At this stage it will be fairly obvious which shoots are suitable for retention and which are not. The surplus growth should be removed with a very sharp knife, cutting through the growth as closely as possible to the junction with the main stem. In addition, though not completely essential, it is as well to dust a little flowers of sulphur or hydrated lime on the cuts to prevent any possibility of infection entering the open wound.

It follows that it is advisable to take plants struck at different times if a wide variation in blooming period is required, and to pinch the tops out at varying times. This will ensure, not so much that a bloom on a particular plant will be ready at a certain date, but that blooms will be available at that date, rather than a big flush of blooms all within a few days of each other, which might he at a period when there is not a suitable show.

This is however a rather expensive method if a large number of plants are grown, and some growers simply wire the rows of stakes together with stout galvanised wire, stayed at each end to keep the rows taut. Some branches are looped back to the main stake, others are looped to the wire, and an odd cane or two provided for those branches which would be damaged if forced back in this fashion. It is important in any case to ensure that no branch is forced too far out of position as it is likely that this will cause it to be unseated from its socket.

The second is the removal of all pests. The dahlia is peculiarly susceptible to attack at this time; earwigs and slugs in particular will completely ruin a plant in a matter of days if allowed complete freedom. Slug bait should be used and the plant dusted or sprayed at intervals with Gamma B.H.C., or a similar insecticide. B.H.C. is recommended because this is also effective against aphides. There are a number of branded insecticides on the market containing this.

Although this may seem a great deal of trouble, it is better to take such precautions than to have the heartbreaking sight of a strong healthy branch broken off later in the season, particularly on a plant well thinned out for giant blooms of exhibition quality. For the same reason it is essential to tie in the branches as these develop, and this is a task that must never be neglected.

If, however, the strict application of this principle would mean that a stout shoot would be removed and a very weak or damaged shoot retained, it is good sense to vary a little from the automatic selection in such instances and retain the better of the pair. It might even be necessary to remove both shoots and retain growth lower down the plant, or even to retain two shoots developing at the same level. This procedure is only a guide.