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wm

ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTmE^JWONTO^

SOME COMMON ONTARIO WEEDS

BY

PROF. F. C. HARRISON, B.S.A., ONTARIO A(;RICULTURAL COLLEGE.

a Flower of Perennial Sow Thi.tle (Sonchu» arveniia).
h. Flower of Annual Sow Thistle [Sonehus oleraceut).

A leadinc educational authority lately said he did not believe that
one far ner in\ dozen could give the generally accepted comrnon /aames
of twenty of our common weeds. Whether this is so or not, one thing is
certain viz., that noxious weeds are spreading very rapidly m the Jro
v'nce of Ontario, and farmers need all the information they can get to
: ^tlm in preventing further loss from this ^^^y.^^^l^^^^Z
to successful agriculture. Hence the preparation of this bulletin tor uie
ComSe on^Economic Botany appointed by the Experimental Union,
in connection with the Ontario Agricultura College.

Now that agriculture is to be taught in the P»b>";f ^,^,^^' ^^^'J^^^
be hoped that teachers will collect and press specimens of the worst
weeds and that the illustrations and descriptions herein submitted may
be of ;ome use to them in their work. A, second series wi 1 appear before
long, ifThc demand for this bulletin wan-ants the publication ot further

'"'Th1tit"lilhit to express his thanks for the assistance rendered
by Wm McCallum, B,S.A., v?ho has labored -frT^V^:^BTl
Znt8 and seeds and in arranging material : and to Norman Ross B.b A.,
Ks exlct and\"rtistic pea-drawings of the plants and seeds ound in
the buUeUn Mr. Ross made the drawings from specimens collected in
this vicinity and photographs taken m the laborator /.

[1]

Whv Weeds are Injurious.
. .a has been defined as any plant out of place, and, in that
.ense^a^'eat plant ^. a field of tujips ^ a weed^ . ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^,

Most weeds do ^^o^d^tvnrodurthese^effects in several ways :

in which they a;e «"^.^-^^^iSf S^^^ o^ ^^^^^^ ""^^^ '' '*t?

1. They absorb soil "^o^«<.^^^ the surface of the leaves is sery great,
up by weeds and evaporated J^^J ^ ^^^^'^^ from the soil about oui-
For instance, an average Mustard plant pump ^^^^^^ thirty-three

teen ounces, or seven tenths of «< P^t per ^ay , ^oportion to the

,^is.q£: B^t £ia&..sxt

t^ey deprive a crop of a l^rge amou example, an analysis of the

Uiey rob the succeeding crop as v^ ell. ro^^J^^ ^.^^^ j2 to;-^ per

re^'cFiflt'ttr^. Stfl cive. ccnpletely a Uvge part ot the

plants among which it grows^ oimniflr; sf'ec/,. At best

P 4. T/^ej/ incr€««e ^/*e '«^,^^ "^^Jf.f ,^^^^^^^ such as clover, grass, and

«ary to depart from such a notation wne ^^ ^^^^ f

of ^the faitn-to give "^^^^^^^ ,f e'V^l^g^^^ *"«»■ '^ ^"'"' ^^ ^" '^'

instance, or almost <>"^^^t,^^^^'^^e "run with wild oats.

case of the oat crop on a f«;^^";^f;;7;'^^,iou8 fungi. Many of the rust.

6. They harbour the 'roresof^v^u1 , j^^^^^^^ ^^ ^,^^ grass and

which attack g'-*^^\«'^^P:,,^"\hem through the fall, winter, and spring,
other families, which V^^^^^^e^^ Tarf, as ue say, an eyes r e to good

7. Lastly, they offend the eye, or ,

3

farmeTB and all people of taste. They also interfere with the use of
mowers, binders, anil other implements in taking off crops.

Introduction and Spread of Weeds.

Most of the injurious weeds found in this Province have comedirectly
or indirectly from other countries. They are brought in and conveyed
from field to field and farm to farm in various ways :

I By the xvind. Seeds which are carried by the wind usually have
tufts of fine silky hair attached to them. Such are the feeds of the Dande-
lion, CanadaThistle, Sow Thistle (annual and perennial), W illow Hei-b and
Cotto.. Grass. These and similar seeds are wafted to and tro, till they
become attached to the soil and commence to grow. In some cases as in
the Dock and Wild Parsnip, the seeds are winged; in others tlie pod
containing the seed has fiat and extende.l edges, exposing much surface
to the wind. The Penny Cress is an example of the latter

Some weeds are rolled along the ground by the wind To this class
beloncr the Russian Thistle and the Tumbling weed of the North- West.
When these weeds ripen, they break otf close to the ground ; and being
light they are easily carried by the wind, especially on an open prairie,
and the seeds drop out as the weed rolls from place to place.

An examination of snow drifts in Dakota, a few years ago, showed
the presence of many weed seeds. Thirty-two seeds of nine species were
were fouvul in two square feet of a drift. In the same place it was
observed that a twenty-five mile wind carried wheat seed a distance ot

thirty rod.s in a minute. „ „ o^ i i

Seeds which become sticky when wet often adhere to leaves, and go
wherever the leaves are carried by the wind. This is true of the Plantain.
2 By water. Some seeds, especially those of aquatic plants, are
distributed by water. Darwin maintained that many seeds, dropping
into the sea or being washed in from the shore, might be carried nearly a
thousand miles by the movements of the water without injuring their
vitality. Seeds which fioat on the surface of water are carried to and
fro by the wind till they find a lodgment and begin to grow : and many,
of various kinds, are carried from high to low ground and distributed far
and near by the rills and streams which tiow from mountain hill and
upland after heavy rains and spring thaws. "^ .e common Speedwell and
Raffweed are often distributed in this way.

8 By birds and other anima's. See.ls are distributed by animals
in a variety of ways. ' It is estimated that about ten per cent, ot all
flowering plants possess seeds which are dispersed by means of barbed or
cleaved processes." By these barbs or processes the seeds cb.ug to the
feathers of birds and the hairy coats of arimals. ami in this way are car-
ried from place to place. To this class belong the Bur. Burdock. Hound s
Tongue Bedstraw, Cockle, and such like. And tin seeds of some plants,

'<l\.<»

i

,„eh as Mi»tW,oo and tl.e Meadow S,5H>-o„. o.ud. sticky ,ub,t.nc« wi.ieh

tnat clings to the feet of ammak , ^ ^^^,i,,,,,,, without la-in-

Seeds often pass through the ^ ""^^^^^.^ ° ^ uither and thither

digested ; and during their Pf «^gf. ^/"^ ''^'^^'^^^^^ reproduce their kind,

by the animal and tinally depos ed, to gK,w J^a P ^het-uthof

whether of weeds or ^«««f"^ Pj'^^^^^-^^.^^^.^i' Se ; and it may be rn.n-
this statement as regards cattle^ horses and s^^^ ^^^^^ ^.^^^

Itt rseeds^Xirt' ^^Xfln^form and germinated in nearly

--^^Ssts. r^-^^jrs:s:l^iudin:nS^i^ ^^^' "^

l^trS -f :^u^?^^ . another in

carried by rail. More or les. o^ ^^ISn where grain and animals are
at places along the tv^)^.^^\''^ We rtlmsget a start and spread to
unloaded and cars deane^ out V. t^^^^ . g ^^^^^^^ .^

neighbourmgtarms ^^^ ^"f V"' !' ts with dry earth, pieces of sod,

The constant changing ^^ f P^^d Ind f rem one farm to another, is

etc., attached to them. f^'^.f^^^Ve^j^tedT^^^ farms and throughout

:S^^^:^^i^ '- '''■'' '-' '"' ^"^

known sources of trouble "^^^f/^^^f I'f^^^^^ i« very often full of weed

Fresh farmyard manure ^^'^"\fijy^',7 ^owed to heat thoroughly

farms of the ^'^''''''',,,^^^ ^^eds are introduced in feeding stufe

Many new and tr^^/^^'^^.^^^i^^^f^.^a .^^ass seeds especially, there is

and seeds of various kinds. In con ^^J"^ - , . ,^^., j/^o be constantly^

oftea a large number of weed «Ti''*"u:f Source ^'^' ^^^^^^ '"'"l'^"'
on his gua?d against infection from ^^^^^^^^^ Ontario, were examined
clover seed, obtained from ^^^^^^^-3^^^',^ q" less weed seed was found in
^Csl^ple.^ ^^ Stvinf ^^ -tem^^^ of the results obtained
from an examination of three samples.

!l

Cloveu Sekd.

Sain/.es.
of c'.o xr iced.

Number of weed
seeds in one oz.
of Clover Seed.

1. One of the best
of the fiO samples
obtained.

2. A sample of
average quality.

3. A eancple of in-
ferior quality

Per cent, o'.f
weed seeds.

.Ot

Number of veed*! . .

to clover plaatalKind ( f weed seeds
in an average] fcund.
square yard.

!3 weeds to 7420[GraiB and sorrel,
clover plants.

32
1,214

.17
6.07

One weed to 742
clover plants.

24 weeds to 769
clover plants.

Foxtail, sorrel, chess
and chicory.

Foxtail, white
Cockle, Bindwe d
«nd phioory.

Tl^largest number of weed seeds found in one ounce of clover seed
wa. > 080 • and over 200 weed seeds to the ounce were found in 12 out
^t th «C sav-nples. Such figures ought surely to be a warrung to all^who
T.nrrl.i-0 either (^rass seed or clover seed for use on their faims. Ihose
FvL wan seed sCuld never fail to make a very thorough exannnation
S/arordmtv eye-glass or otherwise before purchasing, in order to
Tatth then sel7es that the samples submitte.l are true to name and free
';'; n"s. always bearing i" -ind that the cheapest seed is almost
invariably the dearest-very much the dearest-m the end.
Collection and Identification.
Not only every seedsman, but every tarmer, and every teacher in a
vur.1 sch^ should^have a collection of weed seeds for reference and
c~^Nn order tha^^ may be able to detect and identify such
seeds Xn they arc in grass seed, clover seed, rape seed, or any other
kind oVseed which is sold or offered for sale. A good collection can be
Sly made in the summer months. All that is necessary is a number of
Z\\ bottles and a little attention at the right time The so-called
C;.lpa ic vSs of one drachm capacity are suitable for the purpose
but they should be carefully and plainly labelled. If they are not so
labelled, the collection will be valueless.

Fig. A.

Fig. B.

Fig. C.

6

A .,u.n m,«ni.yin, «la«s i« very -^ '», 'i^f^J;'".^ ^l^
h known ,« the C-Mingto,. lens (!;«■*■>• '*''"^f,,S;nmko.» (Br. B) will
tor -nch work : but the .nmU ^■>-^^-, " ^^^ Ih ™ Uer (Hg! C) «u, bc-

s '^z^-nJ:^:^ if Hrtk '"" "^ '"■'""""' """

the College -a set of 35 in s.nall battle, toi ioc.

Classification ok Weeds.
Weeds may be classified uccovdin. to the len,th of thne tlu-y live. a«
'°""::;^n.a/. or weeds which genninate bloom, fruit, and di. iu one

year or season. Corn Cockle is an ^'>;'"'n; ^ ^, „„tiunn. pass

^ Winter Annuals, which germinate late '^^ ^ '^^^"^^ ^ |^ ^^

the winter as seedlings or imniature P^'" ,^' ,X/rr 1 tl^^^ following
their existence by blooming, finjiting. T^^^^ ''"""^
summer. Such are Chess and .^M'^^'^f^P^^^^^.,, tirstyear. and flowers
Bieanials, which pro.luce 1*'''^;^'^";;''^ The Wild Carrot and
and seed the second year, a tter which they die. Iht w .

7'"(2) Those with roots which do not spread underground, such as

Chicory and Plantain. ^ belongs, as the

Itisimportanttokiiowthecass to.^^^^^^ jP^,„ t^,,t

method of eradicating an annual is ottcn Ntiy
required to destroy a perennial.

ERADICATION OF WEEDS.

£;tr.r;method or methods o^ ^^^-;^\^2rS.^oi .lo better

As regards the latter point the ^"^^^ f^] ^^^^^^^ Superintendent,

than submit the >"«thod outhn^l by ou hitc ajm ^^^ ^^.^^^ .^^

Wm.Rennie. whose ^^f'^^'^'^'J^^^^^^^^^ method not

speakin'.,' with some confidence on ^'^^^^^^^^^^ .vnd those who wish fuller
o'nly cleans the land ^-t mcr-ses^^ '- ^^^^.^ ^„, ^,,7.

information should consult the ^^^^JJ.^ ^ ^P"" ^, ^.^j^.^ sections of the
For various reasons, very few *^^;'"^, ' \, '^^.^..Jon how to clean

I

In the 6rst place. I wouUl say that all obstructi.ms to cultivation
such 88 pTleHot- Lie must be removed-hauled away to the woods or
Tout of -the-way conier in winter or some other slack time. Secondly.
Places lor harboring weeds, such, for example, an snake tences, should be
Sot Hd of aH soon as possible. On the Ontario Exper.mentd iarm.
fearW all field fences have been removed. The outside and lane ten e-^
are afmost the only one. left. Portable fences are used when required tor

P"'"SJL" :tf5;enn;«;«.-Wild oats wild mustard .seed, and some
other Heeds belonging to these classes, have great vitality. If do^^n
pre ty -eU beyond^he reach of the air they will live for twenty years,
and will germinate as soon as they are brought near the surface.

The W wav to destroy nnnuals and biennials is by thorough and
freouett ^1 low cultix^tion.'^arly after harvest n stubble ground and in

S7owe<l for the following ye ir. and at the .P-P-. ;--;;,^:P" ^f.^.^
«„mnier^ amontr what are called " iioed crops, that ^. potatoe , cairois.
t^nTps inaS. Indian corn, etc. By shallow cultivation the seeds are
lit near the surface and by fre.iuent stirring of the soil they are made
to Sprout ind'/aWngsF^^^^^ tUy can be killed by further cultivation.
Thc^e which sprout late in the fall are destroyed by the winter frost,
ft iTimpo^ble^o get rid of such weeds by plowing the ordinary de?th.
savse3or eight inches, once in the fall or at any other time. Plow
shallow Tnot more than four inches in sod and three inches m stubble
frSund) and haTrow and cultivate frcMuently. as by each stirring of the
ITl fresh seed is made to sprout and what has already sprouted is
Sitroyed. When necesaary t", loosen the soil to a greater depth, use a

^'p^e^nt-it t^ecessary to study the habits of perennial weeds,
to see how they grow and propagate themselves from year to yeai-^ in
r^^r to keen them in check ; and a close examination of almost any of
them wilfshowthTt the buds' from which the young plants start ai^ near
thHuXe of the .soil. Hence shallow cultivation, similar to that men-
tioned ak)ve is the effective method of destroying them. Deep plowing
only tr^n^p^^^^^^^^ to a greater depth and -creases the t^^^^^^^^^^^

Plow shallow (see preceding paragraph), and hariow and cultivate fie-
uuentlv using a grubber or subsoil p.. ,v when it is necessary to stir the
^ftn a ra-eater depth As atove, the cultivation must be early after
rleVafd^t^rouT^t the fall in stubble ground -d sc^^an-l in s^^^^^^^^^^
and summer among corn, potatoes, and root crops. J" .^^^^f J"^
or partial cultivation only makes all weeds grow ™ore^ygo^«"f >" , ^^.
^ Canada thistles, sow thi^tlen comh-^rass h^^^^^^ '^'w the land
stroved bv the following method : Middle ot May gang plow the land
aWthrL Lliesd^^^^ harrow thoroughly. In two weeks, whe^^
the weeds are nicely up, cultivate with a common or spring-tooth cultiva-

1^

tor orovided with «i,K. point, that ovorjap s<, a„ to e,.t o^ ovory Jjlant two
or tWe inches Ih^U.w the """''■'f", ,,J^,'^' ,^ rXrc wffl be another crop,

rdrb^:t'h^z:i:";'ne:Tr^}w^t'^^^

points and a conesponding n.nnber *>* l'«'';3"g;- -^ j^^^i^,, the loss of

P The preceding methcxl ;^'»\t';\U laid nmy be k^

a year's crop ; so it i. well to add, that land J^^^^^^^^^^^^^ cultivation

free from weeds without the loss ()f a 7«P' ^'^ . "^^ '\^^^^^ ^^ the crop is

of all fields not ^n f-\^"^r;^,^^' ^rt" st bv T lorcrg^lowing and
o^ and continued throughout the tall ^'f^nJCuie wide-point culti-

itXuotiU rtToy most perennial weeds and all annual and biennial
«eeds that ax. near ^^^e -r;-^;^,^^ ^^ ,„,thods. as abo^^ given. I would

venti^t'a^S^ne^^^^^^

factory results by Mr Rernie on the C^^;Kf ^'^ J^'^^; ^e put in the

success by fp;mers ^- o^-^J-%^^ n I wS^red clove^r. in order to
operative form. '^«J/^'^^;^/^^^^?or all or nearly all spring crops,
have a rich clover sod to P^o^J^;,;^ " 'J^ ^ure before plowing,

taking as far as possible only one crop of hay or past l^^^ ^^^

occasionally two, but not "^-^f^'X^ harvest .^y the 1st to the 15th of
more than four inches, early atter ^»^;^\"';^"^4 „f ^eeks
August, and harrow ''^^^^l^J^X:tt^^^^ with a

vate, the same ^yay as it was plowca, tw j^ , ^ jf

spring-tooth cultivator After a ^'"^^'^y^;^,^"'™;^!,,, ^ little deeper
possible, cultivate a third, or even a ^^^^^^^^^'^fi;-i°''il''^ith a double
Lh time. Then, if you can manage to do so^rib it ^ w ^^.^ .^ ^^^^
mouldboard plow, as you would foi a crop oltuimip^^^^^ ^^

the available plant food (^l^^^^^ 7^%^^?; J^.^ ^"^ ^« drills can be
the drills, the water runs off early "'^^'^Xr" for spring grain or for
levelled with the cultivator and harrow, either lor spnug g

"""^'hrmethod will not only clean land but will greatly enrich it.

„ v»ox,fp<4 AS TO New Weeds Etc., in Different
Information from Farmers as to ^V^\'

Parts of the Promnce.

1

T,o,iim'ntal work in connection with the Expenmenta. Union A largo
nu er of answers were received ; an.l as part of the mfonnation contained
therein is not given elsewhere in the bulletin, some of the answers are
brieHv referred to IkjIow. The (juestions were as tollows :

1 What is the character of the xml in your townshp ? Tms wa« to
ascertain what species of weeds ^^ow most abandartly in certain k.ndB
of soil -and the Information obtained will lx> found w.th the descriptions
of the ditierent weeds in t^ lollowing pagea.

2 Are the weeds in your neighhorhood viore numerous and more
tronUesome than they were lev years agol The majonty of ^^e corres-
poudents s.ty that wer are far more numerous than they were and
fiuvt the injury done by them is fa^ greater. The Canada Thistle how-
ever is spoken of ,vs much less troublesome than itwas.-a tact due, no
doubt to Uie vigorous methods taken to eradicate it fvom ca.tivated land,
and in a less degree to the law for its destruction -m the highways.

3 Are the precisions of the weed law enforced in your townsh.p ?
Al>oat 95 per cent, answer no most emphaticeliy. They s^y that a
nnXr --^f townships appoint men to look after the Canada Thistle .mt
that Uttle or nothing is done with other weeds. '' The township councii
kes no action, because the councillors are afraid of losing >'otes at the
ext ejection." " Pathmasters do not enforce the Act. for lear of mcur^nng
tt en ly of neighbors"; and "rented f>rms, especially such as belong
to loan companies! are often overrun with weeds, to the greP.t injury ot

''"'^Tt^alTZ^'estimated annual loss ichich ,,ou sustain from weeds!
Some of the answers to this question are amusing, but the great majority
of them show h full appreciation of the fact that a serious loss undoubt-
ed! v results fiom the existence of weeds among farm crops.

^ Some consider the weeds a blessing in disguise as they compel lazy
and careless farmers to keep on cultivating the soil ' ^^^^„;;«7,,7^y^ '^^
makiucT their estimate, seem wholly to overlook the loss f^om the ase ot
plant food and the absorption of soil moi.ture by weeds. A number
Sa e Their loss at twenty- five cents per acre, and quite a few place it
:f h"h as So per acre ; so. considering the whole list -^ co-^-gj^^^^^
with the loss of soil moisture, fertility, etc.. we think that SJ^OO per acre
Ts a conservative estimate of the annual loss throughout the Province.
' 5 What means do you use to destroy ihe weeds on your farm t ana
tvith what success ? Many full answers were given to this question ; anu

h mosfvaluable informLon contained in these ---« ^^ ^f^^^^^^^^
forth under various heads in the descriptions which follow. One point,
however, which is strongly emphasized ^y many, may be ment.^^^^^^^^^
nassinir viz that no method, however good it may be, :s ot any use,
SnSt is faithfully carried mt. A lack of thoroughness m the work
done fcr the destruction of weeds always r^^snlts in failure

I

10

6 What new tceeds have you noticed lately in your locality^ Are
ifiev svreadina rapidly ? and hoio have they been mtroduod,

Sow Thistle in Hullett, Bindweed m Tuckersnnth and Bladder L*^^^^^^

**'" 'C}ot^^nl',^t^tn^^^^^^^^^^ riax spreading in a few localities, especially i.

Windham township. i x t »i,„ „»n,o, xni-aAa rnmine from the roswlside

Burford-all need-nR close attention a»'l ^''"'"J.^^^^f.' .„. g^readinK fast, especially in Wilmot

,„, ,s 3SS=? SisSir^Kifo .trS-^ES^^^^^^

no,lKsiil,.„™ to.«.hip. ~.d K„„n»l 3o, Thi.tU S »;'„?J,l»|f;"Si„„ „d lUgweed
yor/t.-Wild Tares very troublesorae in this county, f erenniai ^<"%. ^"'""" ":"V j » v-ad
amonK the newer weeds, wfich are on the inorease .n every ^"--J^^^.^J^^^^^^^^^

Si^s-^S^nTnd'S^^d:^^^^^^^^^^^ ^— » '^^•«"«

"^^^S: li^^-ilSa^reTver^Sd^rhl IVh^SS^itlpn.hip -d rapidly spreading
inot£ townshVpi J^daUy ^Txbn^ ^""^'"^wJXthe Sy "'

Brock township I. Perennial .Sow Thistle one of the newer weed* »n the county.

11

Durham -IUgw.«d. Oxeye Dainy, and Perennial £ w Thi.tle. the t^eed. nio.t likely to

theSd-SStw^y' Uodr^^^ ^'- '-> P-cy and Ha^aton,

^'^'^^JXt^^-SnntrsrTL^^^^^^^^^ ' Bladder Can.p.on a.on,

the m,w»r weeds repotted from the southern townBhipa o? the couaty.

f"^'*'" '■^rfll.^rd -'Bi?e'w'eeSTn i^Bburg township, and ^aid to be .preacHng southwards.

Prince *«''«'«;.'*'"/'„ f,"LL,,R^^^ fianiDion and Perennial Sow Thistle lu HilUer.
^^''=??^':::i•° 'Bte Weed"p aSS faKr lSda}l';roublesome in south p-.rt -f ^ he county
WhiS^SlerDcSd^S Wor^^^^^^^ '"^^ Thurl.,w. Tyend.n^ga. .ad Sydney

townships. No "P;2J^„^r°™i'?{*^t'^^^^^^^ itself, especially in C.mden township. Blue

Weed becominK troublesome in the western portions of the couaty.

Kf/'-RiSe' Kagweed. Coneflowers and Penny-Cress spreading in this county.

Glengarry. Ragweed also becoming troublesome.

As to the ways in whirh the above weech have been introduced, tlie
answers are various, but the great majority of the correspondents men-
Sn two agencies as chiefi/ re.sponsible : (1) Impure seed, especially
grass and clover seed; (2) Threshing machnies

Several grades of clover seed are sold by seedsmen :-^o. 1 or
the best qualky, is usually clean, but most of it is exportecl, as Canadian
farmers will not pay the price asked for this grade : No. 2, or second
.uiality, is the kind generally sold in country stores throughout the
Province Of the .si.xty samples referred to on a previous page, by far
the worst were from country stores, for which fact we cannot say that
the storekeepers are to blame any more than the farmers who refuse to
pay the price necessary to secure the best seed,

' ^ We would again m-ge that every farmer, im matter what the asser-
tions or st^itements of sellers maybe, should .xamine carefully with a
.d^uss all grass and clover seed which he thinks of sowm- orx his and
and in case he di.scov.rs foreign seeds which he dcn^s not know et hn
send samples to the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, an.l all such
samples will be promptly examined and reported up<>n.

i

V

^>'. V

1

^

12

A NUME-.R OF Common Weeds, with Popclau DESCu.i'Tioxs
AND Notes on Eradication.

Fio. 1.

Fox-TAir., Yellow Fox-tail, Bottle Grass, or Pigeon Grass.
Chamemphis glauca (L).

A conuaon weed in stubble, fallow, or root Hc^k It ha. a porounkl
root, with stems about two feet high, of erect hab.t of f^^^^f.f^^;^
summit of that part of the leaf which sheaths the stexn (the ^ J^^) ^he ^
is a fringe of hairs. The leave, are Hat, rough above, and smooth
beneath The dense, close spike, which resembles millet, is bnstly and

"^^^^sr^r^^Tin. )on,. various .hades of brown in colo.^
transverse wrinkles. They frequently retain the.r green c^^^r. and are
nuite commonly found as an impurity in clover and grass seed. (See
Fig. 1, a). An average plant produces about 15,000 seeds.

Time oi riowering, July-September.

Time of seeding, August-October.

^rarfica^ion.-Gangplow stubble ground about three inches deep
early in the fall ; as soon as the seeds have had tin.e to sprout cultn a e
horou.hly: repeat cultivation and rib the land with a double mould
board plow th. last thing before the frost. Put in a hoed crop (potatoes,
roots, o'r corn) next spring and cultivate thoroughly throughout the grow-
ing sea.son. Follow with a grain crop seeded with clover w. bout plow^
ing after the roots, for if the lan.l is plowed it is liable to bring irore
seed to the surface. When the sod is broken up, plow shallow m the
latter part of harvest, cultivate with harrow an<l cultivator throughout

the fall, and rib up as above.

In the early after-harvest cultivation of stubble grouno. some harrow
the stubble as the first step; and when the weed seeds have sprouted
under their liglit covering, then gang-plow and harrow, and stir atter-
wards with the cultivator as time permits throughout the taU.

Note— In all of the acccmpanyn.g Mustrations inaddit to the
rep Jentatiois of the plants, thi s4ds are shown both natural size and
enlarged.

11

iinial
t the
there
looth
and

with
i are

(See

deep
tivate
mould
tatoes,
grow-
plow-

irore
in the
jghout

I arrow

a-outed

after-

lo the
ize and

FlQ. 1.

Yjillow Fox-tail.

{Chamcraphis ytauca).

[13]

:.'.?^J '.^^^ "^-i

Mfiifittiia

14

KiG 2.

Chess, Cheat or Wheat Thief.

Bromus secallmcs (L).

A weea natujalized Iron. Europe. It is a winter annual, with fibrous
roots and rough coarse leaves. It has large spikelets, dark green in
color of characteristic shape, and grows from three to four feet high.

Many l<.ok upon Chess as degenerated wheat, because it appears
among fall wheat that has been winter-killed. This idea is erroneous
and without foundation. The fact is that Chess will mature seed «nder
adverse conditions, even though the plant be only a few inches h'gh. xlie
seed possesses great vitality, and is often found in wheat and rye.

Chess is most commonly found among wheat and rye.

The flour made from it is dark-colored and has narcotic principles.
Care in the selection of seed grain and careful cultivation, temling to pre-
vent the maturing of the seeds, are the chief remedies. The planting ot
a crop that can be harvested before the Chess matures is a good plan m
badly infested localities. An average plant produces about 1,000 seeds.

Time of flowering, June. Time of seeding, July.

" Chess is a typical plant belonging to the genus Bromus. Wheat
belongs to the genus Triticum. Chess will prodace Chess and only
Chess, and a seed of wheat cannot be sown to pnxluce Chess, and Chess can-
not produce wheat under the most favorable conditions of growth.

" In instances where parts of a plant, apparently a combination of
Chess and wheat were so united as to seem but one plant, close examina-
tion proved them to be parts of separate plants, and that the apparent

union was not real." .

Eradication.— Avoid fall sown crops, and follow a« far as practicable
the same method as is recommended for Mustard. In this case, however,
the meadow will re<iuire special attention, and any weeds that appear
must be removed. If many weeds appear in the meadow, it will be better
to break it up and follow the rotation suggested under Fox-tail.

M^

» ^ 'T^if-I ■a.jit ^'Slii'^

^ssfssvs^

."^auKi^t^^nBfr^rtis <

brous

en in

b.

)pears

>peous

under

I. Tbc

ciples,

0 pre-
ling of
ilan in
jeds.

VVbeat

1 only
9s can-
ion of
imina-
parent

ticablo

iWever,

appear

better

Fig. 2.

Chess.

(Bromwi lecalinus.)

[161

i

16

Fig. 3.
Wild Oat.

A vena fat ua (L).

An annual weed with erect and smooth stems. The leaves and
stems are covered with white bloom, which gives a peculiar wiiite-green
color to the whole plant. The head forms a loose panicle, with noddinjj
and spreadii>g branchlets. The awn is long and bent, and covered with
brown hairs. It is bent most when dry ; but if moistened, it uncoils and
wriggles around, thus causing the seed to move appreciable distances.

The principal points of differences between the wild and cultivated

oat are (1) In the former the chaff is thick and haiiy, while in the

latter it is thin and hairless ; and (2) The wild oat has a long, stiff awn

which is bent and twisted when dry, while the cultivated oat either has

a much smaller and less stiff awn or none at all. An average plant

produces about 800 seeds. ,

Time of flowering, July. Time of seeding, July-August.

Dispersal — conveyed from place to place by threshing machines, and
as an impurity in seed-grain.

Wild Oats are at home in any soil that will grow cereals, and they
ripen their seeds among almost any cereal crop. The seeds possess won-
derful vitality, some of ' em remaining buried in the soil for years and
germinating ls soon as they are brought under favorable conditions.

Eradication. — On a field infested with wild oats, cereal crops should
be dropped out of the rotation as far as po.^sible ; and hoed crops, soiling
crops, hay, and pasture should take their place. To get the land under
grass, it should be fallowed tluring part of the season, the cultivation
being frequent and shallow, to destroy all seeds that may have germi
nated in the upper layer of the soil. The land can then be so jvn with
winter wheat and seeded, or with an early variety of barley, which
should be cut on the green side. The treatment mentioned is suitable
for pasture land, or land which has produced a hay or soiling crop during
the forepart of the season.

;es and
e- green
lodding
id with
oils and
ices.

Itivated
in the
iff awn
her has
e plant

les, and

id they
ss won-
ars and
ns.

s should
i, soiling
d under
itivation
; genni
ffu with
/, which
suitable
p during

Fio. 3.
Wild O'.t.
{Avena fatua.)

17]

18

1

Fig. 4.

Couch-grass, Twitch-grass, Quack-orass, Quitch-grass, .m Qikk

grass: also Wheat-grass.

Agropyron repens (L).

Couch-Vrass is a creeping perennial which grows from 1 to 3 tVet
hi.h It h^alointed rooLo'ck which penetrates deeply int. the groun.
and possesses great vitality. The plant produces «P^- j^^^^/^^;,,^
inches lon.^ The small spikelets alternate at each notch of the How a
stalk, with the edge of the spikelet turned towards the stalk.

The seeds are about A in. long, and rather slender (tig *, a.). -^
average plant produces 400 seeds.

Time of flowering, June-July.

Time of seeding, July- August.

Disper.al-the rootstocks are carried around by nnplements. and tli.
.seeds are occasionally found in seed-grain. J

Whatever value Couch-grass may have for p^isture, its habit ot tak-
in- and keeping possession of the soil renders it extremely objectionable
It'flourishes best in loan.y or humus soils, from which ,t is .specially

difficult to eradicate. ,

;?m(iica<.or..-To destroy this grass, the cultivation should be suci

as to prevent its appearing above the surface. Hoed crops ot varioMi
'kinds shallow cultivation, or a bare fallow on which buckwheat may U
sown 'ana plowed under, will be found useful. A well manured and care
fully cultivated rape crop is esp-cially effective as a means ot destroymi

*^'' irtveat-nent outlined for Canada Thistle may be fol'^owed in com
bating this wee<l.

to 3 feet
e grouu(i
1 3 to N
xe flower

, a.).

it of tak
ctionable
especially

\ be sue
)f varioyi
it may
and care
lestroying

d in com-

Fio. 4.

Gocou 6 3.
( Agropyron -n» . )

[19]

20

FuJ. 5.

■ bOCK, CURLED D».CK, SOUH DoCK, OR YeLLOW DOCK.

Ruviex Crispus (L).

A deep-rooted perennial weed introduced from Europe.

It occurs around buiWMngs, in neglected lanes, along waysides, and n
pastures The sten. is quite slender, and the leaves are tro.n six to tweh
Ses long, with .Jy .nargins; hence the conunon name, 'curled
dock " The flowers are in racemes, green m color. , ., ,

The seed is winged, and is carried considerable distances by the
wind The manner of attachment of the seed to the wing -;!--;"-
ni^«tration (Fig. 5, a.). The seeds are light brown m color, tnangulai ,
wHhTrp edges and tapering point. They are smcx.th and shu,v

^^'"The^Nvind acts as an agency in scattering the seed, and it is a very
common impurity in clover nnd other seeds used on the farn..
An avcra-e plant produces about 17,000 seeds.

Time of flowering and seeding. July-August . , , , . ,u.,

Eradimtion.-In most cases this ^eed can be kept in check bv th.
fve.,uent introduction of well-cared-for hoed crops into the rotation, rhe
ho ter the rotation, the better. The later sown hoed crops, especial^
rape are more effective than those sown earlier in the season. Before th
Toed crop is sown, this weed may be kept from breathing above grouo
b^'ong frequently over the field with a broadshared cultivator, which
wilUuUhe plants an inch or two below the surface ; but as the roots are
ouc^h and .strong, it may sometimes be neces.sary to use the gang-plow,
reven the single plow. About the 1st of July, the land may be sown
with rape in drills, say 26 inches apart, and kept clean, or -arly -. b
the horse-hoe and more or le.s hand hoeing. The rape ce,n be pastured
off in the usual way during the fall ; and occasionally it may be neces
t:TvTlt^^^-^oei^ro^ont^...rne,ron.A the following spring
say a crop of corn ; but much depends upon the timeliness, regularity
and thoroughness with which the hoeing is done.

\\

4,'and in
D twelve
" curled

by the
hown in
ianj^ular^
d Hhiny

s d very

k by the
on. The
ispecially
Jeforc the
3 crrouod
jr, which

roots are
mg-plow,

be sown
rly so, by

pastured
be neces-
ig spring,
■egularity , 1

Fio. '.5.

CuKLKD Dock.

(Rumcx crtspus.)

[21]

•»

22

Fig. 6

SoRKKi,, OR Sheep Sorhki..

Ramex acetoeella (L).

A perenr.ial with running rootstocks. The stem is slender and erect, j
^Mh branches. The lea.es are spear-shaped and quite charpcter-stic.
The Jiowers occur in -ecen.e.s and are green in color. The foliage has u

pronounced acitl taste.

The seed is 1-16 in. long, triangular, smooth, and shining when naked.

but dull brown when invested by its covering. An average plant pro-
duces about 10,000 seeds.

Time of ^lowering, June-September.

Time of seeding. July-Uctober.

Propagation-by its running rootntocks, and as im impurity in clover

seed, especip' / ALsike.

Eraduair.: .-^^'orrr^ if 'i/aallyan indication of a poor, sandy, or
..ravelly soil, kv prefers acic' soils, hence liming and manuring ar3 effec-
tive remedies, when the land is well tilled. The remedies given for the
Dock (Fig 5) are applicable to Sorrel, orly it requires more frequent use
of the broad-shared cultivator, which should be used so as to cut the roots
just below the surface of the soil, without bringing up any of the creeping
TOO* x)cks.

ideiett,
jteristic.
e lias a

n naked,
int pro-

ill clover

landy, or
ir3 effec-
1 for the
jucnt use
the roots
! creeping

Fig. 6.

SBilKP SOKBKL.

(Rumex aKetoKliu.)
[23]

i

I

1*^

24

Fig. 7.

Lamb's Quarters, ou Goosefoot.

Chenopodiuni album (L).

An annual weed widely distributed in ^^^^^"^J^^:
a height of from 2 to 6 feet. The stem ,s grooved and ^"^^L,^;'^' .'
The feaves are whitish green below and dark green above. The flo.e,.
are unconspicuous and greenish in color. j

The seed (Fig 7, a.) is black and sh.nmg. lens-shaped, and xound

about 1-16 in. in diameter.

Time of Howering, June- October.
Time of seeding, August-October.
Distribution -by seeds, especially as an impunty m clo^e^ and gia.

^^^l.....n.-Late cultivation^ is ^J^^^^^: ^Th^t^

sliouia DC ganj, piuvv^, ,., , , • xi.n f.,11 when it niav be plowe<l

and cultivated at intervals until late in the tall, ^^nen u y i
auu uuiui^Jii r^llr.wMTcr snrinf. Subseiiucnt tieat

or ribbed up for a hoed crop the follow aig spi"^ i

ment the same as for Fo.xtail (Fig. 1).

SS

)ws to
nched.
lowers

round

i gr

I

.iss :;

ibatiiiu
le land I
ijirvest. I
plowed I
; treat- i

Fig. 7.
Lamb's Qcartkrs.
(C/ienopodiuvi album.)

[26]

IM

26

Fig. 8.

Pigweed, on Redroot.

Amarantus retropxus (L».

An annual, witl. pink root, sto.^ erect sten, and n.au: branches
It .rows from 1 to G feet hi^^h. The leaves are hght green in color, and
ov:tT7n shape. The rtowers are in spikes, which tenninate branches or
are from the axils of the leaves, and are green in color.

The seeds (Fig. 8, a) are round and lens-shaped, smooth an .Inn
black L color, reseWing the seed of Lamb's Quarters, but slightly smal-
ler and thinner. An average plant produces 15,000 seeds.

Time of flowering, July-September.

Time of seeding, August-October.

Disper.sal-the seed is di.,tributed by the wind and as an impurity m

^"'^Imdta^iart.-Special attention must be given to fall cultivation of
the soil, so as to prevent plants from ripening, and to sprout and destroy
the .seeds which have fallen upon the ground. The land should be gang-
plowed shallow and harrowed immediately after harvest, and cultivated
at intervals until late m the fall, when it may be plowed or ribbed up
for a hoed crop the following spring. Subsec,uent treatment the same as
for Foxtail (Fig. 1).

i

Fig. 8.

PlG-WIED.

{Anutrantu$ retroJUxus.)
[27]

v-tpa.wn^'ag^'.ggstg^g^J—

I

28

Fig. 9.
Purslane, or Pursley.
Poriv.laca oleracea (L).
• fU. ., cnrden weed and is readily recognized by

end. ot branches. T'.e flowe,^s . re bng J ^,^^ ,,,^,.„i„^, Tlu.

:::;.:,:l;'.u,!\, 'A:avera«e ..It pro<l„ce., 60.O00 ,ee,>s.
Time of flowering, July, until frost.
Time of seeding, August, until frost.

Dispersal-by seeds. ^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ,^^,^ ^,^^ ^^^^

Purslane has been used as hog leea m y j

as that outlined for Foxtail (tig. 1).

I'll

w^

sd by
is an

it tliO

s ami

The

, an<l

ic cost ,

I
! latter
illow<^<l

Fig. 9.

pubslane.

{Portulaca oleracea.)

:iO

Fig. 10.

Corn Cockle, or Corn Campiok.

Agiofitemina githago (L).

l.aMtof growth. I''^"''"'!;"''™"*;;; „«,„, long and narrow, with
Itn Tot. three or fonr t.n. the -n^' f ^^ ;>:: \hieh i» b.acU

Time of flowering, July.

Tune »^-^^^^^,,, „„a „s an impurity in .ee.l grain.
Dispeml-by h..d» m m , _ ,,ed is injurious to young

It may be not d^ m passu, ^^^ ^^.^^^^ ^_,,, ^^^^^^^ ^,

:jr;;'et'i,:rurihicri: serion^y a a^ea thereby. An o.d

"■nvS^iXhamon, come (w^-^he s,^ u- Wd^

„„u1t Ir h-a. otherwise, use the san,e treatment a, tor MustaM ,
<SeeFitj. 15\

erect

lairy,

with

alyx)

black
itions)
The
eds.

m.

young
-)oar as
An old

oad, a.<»
C'sired."
y thick
Liistard

i

Fio. 10.

COBN GOCKLE.

Agrottenuia githago.)
[31]

32

Fig. 11.
Bladder Campion, ou Cow Bell.
SUene iniiata (L).

Sishes t.o plant ^^^ f^^^^^^^ tubercles dis-

The seeds are brown and kidney shaped, ^^^^^^^^^

posed re::ularly over the surface (Fig. U. a). An era„ p

about 9,000 seeds.

Time of flowering, June-August.
Time of seeding, July-September.

a tr»grant «'"«'„ /'■;^™;,,„„„ th, seeds ot these two rlants, natural
rSe Jrjd'' Thl™ the .ei't . B.adder Ca,npio„, that on the

.ightistheNight-fl^eri;^ C^'^';«/ ^^^ ^^,,__^ treatment a.

^-''''rtlrcTeeltTerenrlii V'Ja T^^ ete.) will answer

outlined for the creeping p ^^^rted to more frequently, instead

the roots.

Fig. 11.

Bladder CAMnoN.

(Silenc inHata.)

[33]

V

34

WHITE CAMr.oN. ou Wh.te CoCKLE.
Lychnis idha i^)-

A bicnni,,. woe.. i„f„a„c.i t.o,n ^i;'';:;i-^:;:;;;;;;;"rilrt ™^^^^^^^^^^^^

,teu.stron.. .o«Ve,.tlu..^ Y'^J^^'ZJ. The leaves .v.- ,0,.n„,
vi,cid secretion, which nttmcts '"■" "' ,i,,,,. ,,,,i,e .,r pink ine,.,..r.l
;::th «u.e tip The«owe™ave„ ,. - ^'^ „^,, ,„,i„

ami nearly 3 in. 1>.«.1, A» « !"; ' ^-^^ ,„, ,„„ ,,,.,,. teeth around

„ntil the n,orni„,'of the *" "ow « '';'^,, ^' J^,,, „e .fotrihntedby the
the top, which cnrl buck » '•;,., •« « ^,,^, ,„ „.^, „..,„„er theJ

„;„,! swayin,. the «'■■'"• '''^■"''i.'^.iU the opening at the f.p.

teeth straighten out and --P'^ ^^ '", ^,J „,„, UidneysluM-L « ..!>

The «eeJ (F?, 12. «\-'°" ,„",„,,,,.. An average pU,n, pr..-
tubercles re-ularly <iisp..se,l .n..
auces 10,00(1 see.ls

Time of rtowern.g, June-A"S"^'

Time ot seclin}!. .luly-Ausust.

Er:;;ass;f -"fir s--"-=

tai-a (Fig. !•'>>•

i

nchnvu'
it has a I
(»l.loiv4, I
in C")!*"' \
nam ^ j
iivoun'l i
A by tlu- i
lev tlu'M i

hint pro- i

nd exam
the wee(l|

Fig. 12.

White Cockif.

(Lychnis alba.)

[35]

•So

Fio. 13.

Pepper Grass, or Tongue CiRAss.
L'pl(Uu,m Virninaum(L).

A native annual which ««»-, lr„m »ix '-^^^ .'" ^ '"""^^Zl^r.
u- ,1, The stem usually lia» many branch.s, an.l the lower leaNtt. tor
S.uJna We llMith small lateral one.s), with e,.ge, -h^htly cut
iu along the margin. The uppr lea>-e. are taper,nfr T. «ow » -^

:HrThe:;l^ a Wner^lth -.'• P«.. iJhown nea.y natural si.Mn

^*' TWseei's {Fie IS. W "« «^<l<'i''' l"-"""' ""* ""'' °'''"' '" *T' ""''
about M6 in. long The average plant produces atout 18,W0 seels.

Time of flowering, June-August.

Time of seeding, July-September.

Dis. ^r^al-by birds an.l as an impurity in clover seed.

Err,Hc<.twv.-Be careful to prevent the plants from see. mg. and < o
not ptw them under when half ripe, as many of the -ds w^l gernuna
even though partially matured. Pull and burn where only a few Plants
ex"t, and when they are numerous use the methol employed for the
eradication of Mu.stard (Fig. 1-5).

^

?, nn«l

Fig. 1:5.

PkPPKR GK SS.

{LepdiXitn Vtrjiyti'VVi )
[37]

:w

P VST u>D-cuHss. FuENcn Weed, Wiu> (iAHU.. ou

VtN NY-CHESS, b.VblAUD UKf^"- .

Stink-weeu.
TIdaspi arvense (L).

A ,vint..v annual, int,o,l„ce,l IV.,n E"-!- I-;^;^^^^^^^^^^^^
i» ve,,- abu„.lant in M;""to..a an.Us W - " ^. 'j;^^^^,^^,^ ,..,„„ ,„. .,,
It .rows a» a,> o,vc, plant. w..l, . • « . ^^^^ ^^^^^ _,^ ,,,„, ^,„

,„;. The leaves a.ynua«j.^ J .-. ^ .^^,^,„, ^,„„,, „,ith sp, 1-

the stc-,n by ea.-ln,e lol««. "'\*' "'■^■, .^.,, t,,, «„„,,,■ are very charac
i„g flower stalks. Tl,e p"'!"-!.. - - .^^^^_ ^ _.^^^_, ,^_,.,,. „,„

crs.ri.r.i'rS-,-"". ' -

proauces about 20,000 seeds. ^^,,,„ .,,„,. tluit ot oarlic, hence so ue

' The plant has a l-);!;;- ^^W t -y pun^^nt tast. When

Tin,e of lowering, May-Seplemher.
Time of see.lin-, June September.

Disper.sal-chieriybytheNvin.l. ^^.^^^ thu,ou-h

i;,.Lica^io..-Continuous grow.ng ^ - ^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^

euUivation thereof, rollo.e.1 by heavy ^ ^^ U ^ gooil n'uMy. Th.
thewee.lis very ^»'-^<- --';!" :;;^:r^ pplic^b,.. to this we.l
,netho.l outline.l for era.hcat.n*; Must.nl U

(Fig. 15).

Fid. H.

Penny Cut-^=i.

(Tlilmpi arvcns'.)

40

Fig. 15.

Wild Mustard, Charlock, oii Herrick.

Brassica sinapistrum (L;

A„.„„, the .o.,t »-eeJ' in 0!r °j,f: J t JJ'tS^- S' ^^-

The stem is roush. with ^™ h'' "A"™'", of the stem and bear oblong
The branches arise from '!>■= "PP« .H 'rminal large lobe and several
leaves: and the lower leaves ".a e "il^ '""™ an- yellow, showy, and
smaller lateral ones (lyre-shaped). Tne "owcrs ari J ^ noticeable
al„ut i in. broad, »jth stout flower sUlks, w hich are ^n^ ^^^^^

tt";:!:rwtlsV:h:rt^;'is stSTn'';;^::e:,'ar.. & l to 2 mehes lon^.ana

-' trZ^'TZ F'»"'^-:':f r-rUfid^d-Sri^JStnrwT ™e
the seeds, thu. riving *? JW-^ .^.^f ^ .T^ed ' knotted." The
'^'..^LZt,'nJX^JS^^ the two valves of the pod are

"'™"ft Sis: r^% i» '.lack,.i in. in *'™,f ^,:;:,Pet^t;Sy

"•"Time'!"- flowering, June-September. Time o£ seeding, JnlySeptein-
'"'■ Dispersal-by birds and implements, but chiefly as an impurity in

seed. _ . , ,, „„!. „u„lUv nf the seecl. Mustard is a

^nuaca^ion.-Ovv.ng to ^^^1,^^ ij^^^'^^^ ;^,;\i'^tv,'e ^-^^^ live fox-
very liard weed to eradicate. The ^e^^"' ^^"^^ '"^..^t near the surface,
yeai-s and continue to germinate as fbey are brought jea^^^

^Hence it takes patience, a great ^■'^^;^':^^ ^ ''^,,en present
of the weed, when it once f ^^i^^^^^'"" '^^est ,i^^^e^^^^^^^^ the

onlv in small amounts, hand-pulhng '« V Jd as ^ers^^^^^^ in ^

pulling is done before seeds have formed and as ei.ons pu j ^^

lows : Harrow stubble-ground early f^^^^^l'^'^Zi a Uiv tc thor-
„g season. Cultivate ami '"tow weK two o n tnn. at^t ^^^ ^^^^

Fio. 15.

MlSTABD.

(Braisica stnapiitriini.)
[41]

k_

Province

42

„sea aftev roots ov con, it is likely ^^J^^^^^J^!^ Z::^:pl^

Sow a crop of srain ^l^^' ^^"«^^'" f^ a^ a cV-p or two of hay, o,

weeds by hand out ^^ ^ f^^' ^'^!" \^ ^"^ ;. j,tu/ t as^

pasture; =vnd break up the elm ei s d tatin it ^^.^^^^^ ^^^^^^

o Mr. Rennio's method ot ^ -^.n^^ J^" • (^^^. ^^^^ plow to sti.
sary at any sta^e in »'- ."- ^^ ^ ;,; J by he surface cultivation
thesoiUoa-reatcTdepththanis^^^^^^^^^ lbs. dissolved in 50

by the spray. -

Fio. 10.

WoioisEEi) Ml-stakd, or Treacle Mustard.
Erysimum cheiranthouhs {L).

the past y> :r. , ^ branchin" stems from H

> an,„ul '-^^Z:Tt^:^i7'''^'^^!^'''^^^"- The K.,u-,.
in. to -2 tt. higli. Ilie toiia.:. i> mi^ „ ^otJol.' -ind thev are covered

„,.e Ion. ,a,,..nM, ,,t t ;.• '«;"-*;„'^^::, „ ::^aW n,' across. Tla-
little stalks (i,«lto.|s> UMmg Mr- po s = °' || , „|,|, t|,e stfu,.

the poJ is aUait an inch l,.n); anJ ''"'-•'' 7,'',' (lit 1. row., in col.,,-, with

" '"■^;:;,::ni;:::H,^'S.n;:t,/ Ti,,,.. ^ ^;;^4 ;:f -a..«"-.

vestor<,^an-pl.>w and -^7^^; ,,{;.;; ,^, rib up the land with a
sprout, cultivate; rep. at the eult.xatio u 1 xi ^^.^

^.nble n.ouldboard V^'^^^^^^^^^^^ j I [ cultivate thorou.h^
,ither r..ots or corn, the f''''<'^^"i^, r!;-^^,., t,,^ roots .>r corn, s..w a

ii:;:tL^'ei,^™'s,:a;;,:;;^;=r;;^;,:ii:^at':ote..,'M.He„ni..

method of cleanbig land. (See pa},'e H).

:hL'(l

Fic. !•!.

U'OKMSKKI' MCSTARl).

(Erusiifi'tin chiiianthoidcs.)

[4:n

I

44

Fu;. 17.

Shepherd's Purse.

(apsella hursa-pastoris (L).

A winter annual, naturalised from Europe, with a long deep tap

root. The root leaves are lobed and form a large rosette winch hes close

to the ground, and in this state it passes the winter. The follow mg

spring, a more or less branched stem arises, with an-ow-shaped lea^es

thereon. The flower, are very small and white in color, and are much

le.s« conspicuous than the seed vessels, which are triangular in shape, and

are att^tXed to the stalk or pedicel at the lower apex of the triangle.

From the character of these po^ls, the plant obtains its scientific and com-

mon name. The triangular pod is divide<l down the centre by a par i-

tion, forming two cells, each of which contains from 10 to 12 seeds. (Fig.

17 a). In size, the plant varies greatly from a few inches to two feet

depending on the soil and locality. But even a very dim^iutive plan

produces many seeds. The seed is very small, light brown in color^and

oblong in shape, (Fig. 17). An average plant provinces over 50000

seeds Fig. 17 shows shape of seed, also the arrangement cf seeds in

the pod.

Time of flov.-ering, early .spring till the beginning of winter.

Time of seeding, eaily spring till the beginning of winter.

Dispersal-as an impurity in grass seed : also by birds as the pods
when ripe open and drop the seeds, which are eaten by birds, and often
evacuated without digestion or injury.

Eradicaticn.-U easily succumbs to cultivation; and .is the plant
spreads only by seed, persistent effort should be made to prevent seeding.
The method employed against the preceding wood may be used tor eradi-
cating the Shepherd's Purse (Fig 16).

I

itamam

e .

Fig. 17.

Shepukbd's Pcbsk.

(Capsella tuna-fiaitori'.)

145]

jfafgBg^^^i.--'

46

Fio, IH.
False Flax, or iUn.u ov Pleasure.

Camdina saiira (L).

This weed i.vobal.ly came to this covuitry in imported flax sc.-.!. In
Eu4 ^ 7X^^^<^r the tine oil extracted ir.u. ^^^^^ ^^
used in feedin, cattle. Its coauuon nan.e arose fronwts supposed

--m:;::;.! winter annual, with simple ..r -..Hin. -s. the
iower leaves are Ion,, with a st^^or P-^^ - 3;^- J
the stem with arrow-shaped ^^J^\^^ ,,^ is pear-.haped or
and somewhat inconspicuous. The .seed %es. . 1, o i nn^iutle stalks

.lobular, with a small projection from the upper end. 1 u httk ^ a

An avera<.e plant produces a\)out 40,000 seeds
Tune of Howering, June-August.

,,„„d Wl^e it is ,„ore plentiful, use tl.e ,„etl..,.l d..t,ule.. t-.v ^^ .>r,„s..,..l
Mustard (Fig. 1<".).

m

JiV

■1' ' *-•- • "*' '

Fio. 18.
Falsk Flax.
Camelina satira
[47]

ft^Jgglg^g^

48

#!

Fu;. 19.

BlND\VEEl>,
ConiolvulMS arrcnsia (L).
A very trotiblcsome wood whidi x. in.ls its tou^'h ami c^"l">^'jto,ns
aroun^l the stalks uf various plants, partially chokes th.iu. a.ul ther.b;.
bin e s eir aoNvth. It is a perennial with a very extensive eepm^
owhch penetrates far into the soil, and any p.ece of the root pos-
seSns one or more buds is capable of startin^^ new plants, hence it .s
neceTsary to clean implements very thorou^'hly aft.r tl|ey hav;^ been
used in a field containing this weed. The stems are branched and eithei
tm ill he ground or cUmb by twisting around some other plant. The
ea es are raUier small, with 2-4 lobes at the base giving them an arrow-
he ide<l'l»ape The Howers are white or rose-colored and l/^ch across.
The sed three in number, are large, black and angular, a'ul are held n
a spherical capsule (Fig. 19). An average plant produces ab<3Ut IbO seeds
^T me of lowering. JuneSepten^ber. Timeof seed ng. August-October.
D; .:al-chieriy by means of its creeping roots : sometimes as an

""^"^^/"SlSl^s is a -..ry difficult weed to eradicate and careless
culti^.Uio my increases the trouble by carrying the im.ts f-m place
to pice Salt? i is lecommended by some practical farmers who haNe
ucSed in radicating this very troublesome pest ; but we cannot speak
from esperipnce as to the value of this method of treatment
tiom txpen c .^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ introduction ot

well cared for hoed crops ii.to the rotation, and the shorter the rota ion

he beuer. The later sown hoed crops, especially rape are more eflectua^

han those sown earlier in the season. Before the hoed crop is sown the

weed mav h. kept in check by going frequently over the held with a

broad-Ee^ultiJator. so as to cut all the plants an ^"ch or two below

thTsurface without bringing up any of the creeping rootstocKs. About

the 1st Julv the land may be sown with rape m drills saj -b

nches apa.t,ind during the /arly growth of the crop the weeds ma>' be

lent in check by means of the horse-hoe, with more or ess hand-hoeing.

If^the land has been well manured or is naturally rich in vegetable

ma ter S rape will make a rank growth and smother some of the

weeds The rape may be pastured in the fall, and m extreme cases may

be oilowed b/another hoed crop, such as corn. It the co-n is well

cult vated and hoed, most, perhaps all. of the plants wil l>e destroyed^

In some cases it mav be advisable to summer-tallow, and in such
cases It is be' t not to plow more than is absolutely necessary, but to
depend mainly on the broad-suare cultivator. Buckwheat sown on
suCer "allow and plowed under when coming into blossom, followed by
suSe cultivation with the broad-share cultivator, will assist v-ery much
in killing the weed. If necessary, the summer-fallow may be followed by
a hoed crop.

v^^-.. '

Fig. 19.

BlN'DWEKI).

(Convolrulut (irvensis.
[491

ir

«H^

50

Fio 20.
UODDEB. C.,..VER DoD,,K«. DevM.S GUT. 0« STBANOI.E Wf.K..

Ctucuta epithymum (Murr).
,,„,1„1„„ fron. tl,o numbe. of e„.,«ines mMle ab,.ut D<Ki,le,, w, fear
thut .fi, »prc«(lin<; rapidly in the Provinc- of Ontario.

ke L ..; r.Un t..e ,.. ;.™^ P«^ -^ ^--^ -- ^l:

''te';r;o^tXerst;:TirJr;:: :un.^io..

,T. t ue ~t<, into the .soil, and really appear a, if they meant t„.,e

herlly Henceforth. t<. the botanist, it presents the de.ra.led spec-
tt oTa'plant without a root, without a twi,. without a le.t an,l hav-
Z a stem so useless as to be inadequate to Ix.r >ts own we.,ht.

The stems are. very slender a.ul re<l in co.or, curl m. around clo^..
or J.S an completely chokinc, it. as .-ell as appropnatn.g .ts jmce.
'rfoHh lonse clusters of s.nall whitish flowers, which are succeeaed
Warded pods, full of seeds. The seeds .re small, py. or ydlow.s
brown an.l ound in shape. An average plant produces about 2..>0()
rr There are nunJous species of dodder, parasitic on ilax, onu.ns.
rtnd a variety of other herbs and small shrubs.
Time of flowering?, June-July.
Time of scedinij, July-September.

Dispersal -often as an in.purity in clover and lucerne seed
Wic«^ion.-Guard carefully against it in clover -d other seeds
Cut before ripenmg. as near the ground as possible, colecl. and burn
and .uodify the rotation so as to leave clover out tor a tm,e.

m

^•' ^

^

¥\g. 20 (4).

DODDRB SUU.

Natural Hize and en-
lari{ed five timeH.

Fi«. "W (I). DoDDBR OS Obash and Clovek.

Fig. 20 (6). DoDUEB
Showing the seeds
in aitu.

Fig. 20 (-i) PoiinEK.
(a) CroKs-oertion f>f Dod l*t stem.
{!,) CrofSBoction of ''lover stun,
(c) Sucker fiom ( ' of Dodder.

Fig. 20 (2). DontiKR obow-

iNu o>* STEM Oi' ilur.

[After Ktrner.)

52

Fig. 21.
Hound's Tongue, Dog Bur, or Buks.

Cyvoglossum offirinale.

A biennial weed, witli erect hairy stem, of rank growth, and much
Iminched, one to three feet high. The lower leaves have petioles ; the
upper ones clasp the stem. They are 6-12 inches long and covered with
downy hair, ami have a disagreeable odour resembling that of mice.
The flowers are small and lurid purple-red in color. The fruit consists
of a broad, rouaded bur, \ inch long, with one Hat side and covere.l with
.short spines which enable it to adhere to clothing or to animals (Fig. 21,
a). An average plant produces about ()()0 seeds.

Time of flowering, June-August.

Time of seeding, July-September.

Dispersal— chieHy by animals carrying the burs.

Eradlration.— Spud or cut deep in fall and early spring : tii' formt-r
to destroy the plant in its first year, and the latter to complete th.-
<lestruction by removing those that escape the first cutting.

mmk

Fio. 21.

Hound's Tonoub.

{Cj/nogloiium officinale,)

[63]

ZiV

54

Fig. 22.
Blue Weed, Vipek's Buoloss, Blue Thistle, or Blue Devil.

Echiitm vulgare (L).

A biennial weed naturalized froi.i Europe, with deep tap root, which
penetrates tx5 a great depth. During the Hrst year, the portion above
ground is a rosette of leaves; and from the centre of this, next season,
bristly, hairy, and erect stems arise one to two and a half feet high. The
leaves are oblong, two to six inches in length, with both upper and lower
surface hairy. The flowers are numerous, arranged in a rich spire,
and are azure blue in color. The seeds are Imrd an.l brown in
color, with a broad base and angular body i in. long (Fig. 22, a). An
average plant produces 3,500 seeds. The seeds are probably dispersed in
winter by the wind, as they remain for a long time on the i)lant.

Its names, both Latin and English, are significant of the notion that
it was an effectual remedy against the bite of a viper.

The weed prefers gravelly and lime soils.

Time of flowering, July-October.

Time of seeding, August-October.

Dispersal— by seeds, especially in winter when they are blown over

the snow.

Eradication.— This weed gives very little trouble in arabh land, if
the cultivation is at all thorough. In fence corners, on roadsides, and in
waste places, cutting belcw the crown with a spud, is practically the only
effective method of destroying the weed. Sometimes, however, this is
impracticable, because of the number; and in such cases, some special
treatment, similar to that recommended for the Dock (Fig. 5) may tje
resorted to.

I

Fig. 22.
Bluk Wkbd.

(Erkium vaigart.)

[551

56

Fici. 23.
Mullein, oh Velvet Dock.
Vi'rhasciivi thapsiis.

The mullein is a weed introduced from Europe,— very common in
-wa.ste places, road sides, and gravelly or sandy pastures. It is a biennial,
with large, long roots, from which spring a tall and usually unbranched
stem, 2 to 6 feet high. Both sU-m and leaves are den.sely woolly all ov.r,
with branched hairs. The leaves are whitish, thick, and velvi-ty to the
touch. The tlowers are yellow and arranged on densely crowded elon-
gated .spikes. The capsule containing the seeds is about I in. long, and
the seeds are small, about 1-20 in. long, six-sided, with irregular ridges
runnintr lenathwise between the sides. The color of the seed is dark
brown. An average plant produces 6,000 seeds.

Time of flowering, July-September.

Time of seeding, August- November.

Dispersal— as an impunty in clover and gra.ss seed.

£'mfZim<io7i.— Spud or cut below the crown : or dig up the roots
when young : or break up the sod and grow hoed crops. It easily
succumbs to cultivation.

The Moth Mullein ( Vn'bdsciun blattaria), is a worse weed than the
conunon mullein, as it infests meadows and l)eai-H far more seed. The
seed is often found as an impurity in clover and timothy. The plant
itself is smooth and slender, from 2-6 feet high, with dentate leaves The
flower is yellow, with brown marks on the l)ack of the petals : and the
stamens have violet filaments. The seed is brown, very small, and six-
sided. Treat it the same as common TuuUein.

In Fig. 23 are shown the seeds of the mulleins— the upper seed is
the common mullein, the lower is the moth mullein.

Flu. 23.
Mullein.
(Verbatcum Thapsui.)
[571

#

58

!

i

Fig. 24.

Plantain, Black Plantain, Rib-grass, ok Rih-wort.

Plantago lanceolato.

This plant wa« once very generally believed to be a favorite food of
cattle, yet the opinion of most agriculturists is against it. It is con-
sidered a bad weed, especially wher it appears in lawns. Numerous
inquirers ask what it is, and how to get rid of it. It is a perennial or
biennial, with a short thick root-stock, of erect growth, or, more gener-
ally lying on the ground as a rosette of leaves. At the base of the
leaves there are tufts of brown hair ; and the leaves themselves are long,
narrow, and tapering, with prominent veins, or ribs running lengthwise ;
hence some of the popular names. The flower-stalk is slender and
channelled, is without leaves, and terminates in a dense .spike, The
stamens project from the inconspicuous flowers, giving a whitish app >ar-
ance to the whole head. The seeds are enclosed in small pods, each con-
taining two seeds. The seeds are about 1-12 of an inch long, brown and
shiny ,"with a grove on one side, in the centre of which is a black spot.
The oppo.site side is rounded, as are also the ends (Fig. 24, a). An aver-
age plant produces 1,200 seeds.

Time of flowering, June September.

Tirae of seeding, Jir> -September.

Closely allied to this plant is the Broad Plantain (Plantago major),
which has broad oval leaves and very l(»ng tapering spikes.

The seeds of both of these weeds a-e very common in clover and
grass seed ; and persons buying these seeds or lawn mi.xtures, should
examine closely and guard carefully against plantain seed.

Eradication.— li the plants are not numerous, cut below the crown
with a spud. If they are, use treatment outlined for Mustard (Fig. 15),

MBMIIM

t

Fio. 24.
Plant \iN.
{PlanUigo lanceolate.)

[691

^ r

60

Fig. 25.

KaoWEED, H<MiWEEI), BlTTEKWEEI), OK RoMAN \Vt»RM\VEED.

Ambrosia artemisinfolin.

Ragweed is an annual. The stem is n)ucli branchfd an<I elightly
hairy, from 1 to 3 feet hijjjh. The leaves are very finely divided, the lower
surface being of a lighter color than the upper. The Hower heads are
very numerous, from 1 to 6 inches lont;, green, and inconspicuous. The
flowers are yellow, 1-G inch across, infertile in the terminal spikes, and
fertile only at '.he base of the spikes. The seed is dark brown, with
a sharp tip, around which are an-anged 4 to G spines, 3-lG inches long.
They have great vitality and remain in the soil a long time without
injury. An average plant produces about 5,000 seeds. The scied luis ;i
bad taste and gives a peculiar odour to the milk of cows which oat it.

Time of flowering, July-September.

Time of seeding, August- November.

Dispersal — as an impurity in seed grain ; and by wind and water,
being borne long distances by freshets.

Eradication. — For the eradication of this weed, special attention
must be given to the fall cultivation of the soil, to prevent see<ls from
ripe.jing. Gang-plow or cultivate and harrow stubble ground imino<li-
ately after harvest, and repeat cultivation at intervals until late in the
fall : then plow or rib up and follow with a hoed crop. Subsequent
treatment, the .same as for Mustard (Fig. 15).

k'^li^.

Fk;. 25.
Rao Weed.

{Atnbronia artemiiicefolia.)
[61]

. n

62

Fig. 26.
Yellow Daisy, Conk-Flower, Black-eyed Susan, ok Nkxibrhrao

Riuibeo.kia hirta (L).

A biennial and sometimes aunual weed found in pa-stures And mead-
ows. It grows about 1 to 3 feet high. The stems are sparingly branched
and very bristly. The leaves are thick, hairy, oblong and tapering to-
wards the point. The tlower is about 1 in. across, with orange yellow
rays or petals (10 to 20 in number) and dark purple brown discs ali.^.ost
spherical or cone-shaped. The seeds are dark brown, altiust black, four
angled, and about J in. long, with no pappus, or tuft of hair (Fig. 26, a).
An average plant produces about 2,000 seeds.

Time of Howering, June- August

Time of seeding, July-September.

Dispersal — as an impurity in seed grain.

Eradication. — It can generally be killed by mowing, but it is som^;-
times necessary to break up meadow or pasture land, as suggested in note
to Mr. Rennie's method of cleaning land (see page 8), and follow with a
hoed crop. If this is well cared for, it will destroy all Cone-flower

. I

Fio. 2e.
Conk Klowbb.
I Rtniheekia hirta.
[63]

64

-O

Fi<i. 27.

OxEYE Daisy, White Daisy, White Weed, or Poverty Weep.

(Chrysanthemum leuntnthemam (L).

The Oxeye Daisy is a we-d naturalized frxn Europe, and is very
closely related to the Chrysanthemum, or national tlov/er of Japan.

It is a perennial, with short, thick rootstDcks, possessed of much
vitality. Very many stems sprini; from one root. It "(rows from G inches*
to 3 feet hi<,'h. The leive.s ;sli<,'htly clasp the stem, the lo\ver ones narrow,
lonij, and toothed along the edg^s, the upper ones smiil and without
teeth. They are sliorhtly aromatic, more perceptibly so if l)rui.sed. The
flowers are 1 to 2 inches broad, on long stalks, with from 20 to .'iO white
rays and bright yellow disc. The seed is about 1-12 in. long and angled,
with alternate white and black longtitudinal rib--. It has a short point,
but no pappus (Fig. 27). An average plant produces 7,500 seeds.

T" le of flowering, June-Augu.st.

1. ne of seeding, June-September.

Dispersal — chiefly in grass seed and by birds.

Eradication. — The Daisy is mc^t troublesome in pastures, and can
be got rid of only by breaking up the .sod. It can be eradicated by the
method outlined for Canada Thistle (Fie. 2!>).

/>v

Fig. 27.
OxKTK Daisy.

{ChrijmnthfinuM leucanthemum.)

[65]

()f)

Fig. 28.

Burdock, Great Bur, Glot-Bur, or Beggar's Button.

Arctium- lappa (L).

A biennial weed with tremendous roots, probably the; largest of all
weed roots. This root is uniform in size for a foot below the surface ;
further down, it is much branched and has a great hold on the ground.
The stem is much branched (from 4 to 9 feethi<;h) and rough, with broad
rounded leaves, the lower surface of a lighter green than the upper. The
flower heads occur in clusters and are purple in color. The tiower recep-
tacle, or mvolucre, as it is called, is composed of hooked spines, which are
very adhesive and do much i.jury to the wool of sheep. The seeds are
brown § in. long and spotted with darker brown (Fig. 28).

Time of flowering, July-September.

Time o^ seeding, August-October.

Dispersal— chiefly by animals carrying the see<'. from place to place.

The plant when bur. '. yields a good (juality of alkaline a.sh, e«jual to
the best potash ; and a decoction from the roots is said to be equal to the
juice of Sarsaparilla as a blood puriHer, etc.

Eradication.— Cut below the crown wit!i a spul .-nd burn the tops

^

f.V

Fig. 28.

Bcrhock.

(Aritiuvi lappa.)

fC7]

tJS

Fig. 29.
Canada Thistle, or Creeping Thisti.k.

Carchius nrrensis (L. & Robs).
This weed was (iri<j:inally introduced from Europe, nnd hence incor-
rectly named Canada Tliistle. It is a hardy ]ierennial, with numerous
unflerground stems which bear a lar<;e luim'ber of slioots. (See Fig. 29,
illustrating two of these shoots.) Tt grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet.'
The lea'-es are narrow an<l long, <leeply indented into very prickly, lohed
segments. The leaf has a crimped appearance, and at the base slightly
clasps the stem. The under surface of the leaf is woolly, the upper
surface less so. It jiroduces numerous heads containing Howers, which
are A to | inches across and of a lilac-purple color. The flower is smaller
than that of other thistles. The seed is gre3^ oblong, and about ^ in.
long, with slight longtitudinal tnarkings. Attached to the top is a con-
spicuous tuft of long hairs (the i)appus) (Fig. 2!), a). The seed is carried
long distances by the wind. An average plant produces :i,500 seeds.

Time of flowering, June-August. Time of seeding, July-SeptemU-r.
Dispersal — chiefly by the wind.

Great care should be taken to prevent Canada Thistle from seeding.
Eradication. — The Canada Thistle can be eradicated in several
ways, if thorough work is done at the right time :

1st. By careful and persistent spudding, done in such a way as to
prevent the plant from developing top above the ground.

2nd. B}' early after-harvest cultivation of stubble ground.
3rd. t^y the frequent introduction of hoed crops into the rotution.
4th. By seeding much with clover, taking one or two crops of hay,
plowing the clover sod shallow early after harvest, and cultivating
fre(|uent!y throughout the fall.
5th. By summer-fallowing.

Assuming that all I; iid should be i)lowed in the tall, we may outline
very briefly one or two n.ethods of destroying thistles :

(1) In stubble around far spring crop. — (Jan^-plow shallow and
harrow early after harvest (immediately after th crop is ofl) : ami as
soon a.i seeds have had time to sprout oi thistles begin to aj)pear, cultivate
thoroughly with a broad-share cultivator, the points or shares overlap-
ping far enough to cut all plants ; and harrow again, to pull up and
expose the plants that have been cut. Repeat the cultivation at inter-
vals throughout the fall, and plow in the usual way, or, if possible, rib
up with a double mould-board plow just before the t'rost. This syst<-ma-
tic cultivation from harvest till winter, will check t hi ties and other
weeds very much, and when followed by a hoed crop (numgels, corn,
turnips, carrots, beans, or rape), properly cultivated, it will not oidy clean
the land, but put it into good shape for a crop of grain (oats, barley, et^'.,)
the next spring, which crop should be seecud 'vith red clover.

.t- .^Nfc. .

■ ■^JMrfc thJvataa^}'mMi^

1^^, ■ < . I "nil M ■ I i>i*ti^a—ir

Fid. 29.
Canada Ihisti.e.
(Carduus arvcnsis.)

[09]

i

I

f

70

(2) In sod (meadow or pasture) for spring crop.—AUer one or two

but not more than two, crops of hay or pasture, plow shallow (not more

th«u four inches) early after harvest, say the 1st to the ISthofAr^ust

II and harrow at oncc^ Let it stand a couple of weeks and then cultivate the

i! same way it was plowed, two or three inches deep, with a spring-tooth

cu tivator. After a while cross-cultivate a little deeper. If possible

cultivate a third, or even a fourth time, going a little deeper each time.

Jhen jt you can manage to do so, rib it up with a double mould-board

plow the last thing in the fall. This will make a good foundation for

any crop the following spring-gi-ain, roots, corn, or rape— and if the

portion in hoed crop is thoroughly cultivated with horse and hand hoes

very few if any, thistles will be left. The portion intended for mpe

must be kept clean by surface cultivation till the time for putting in the

crop, say the la.st half of June or the Ist of July, after which it should

be treated like other hoed crops.

Some recommend a crop of fall rye on land which is intended for
rape the following summer, but the rye takes so much moisture from the
soil m the spring that the rape after it is apt to be a poor crop, unless in
ravorable seasons ^

If summer-fallowing is resorted to, it will be well not to plow any
more than is necessary but to rely on surface cultivation with the bro.-.d-
share cultivitor and the harrow, done in such a way as to cut the plants
two or three inches below the .surface, without bringing up any of the
b!?TIn f ^°^t«tocks which run along a little lower doSn. It Will also
be well to keep the fallow covered part of the summer by growin^r some
kmd of green crop, .say a crop of buckwheat, sowed rather thick and

OSS of nitrates which bare land suffers from washing, and will improve
the soilby increasing the supply of vegetable matter in it.
«f „M 1 "^^/^^•'^'•y *^t any stage in the above method of cultivating either

s ubble-ground or sod, say for mangels, use a grubber or sub-soil plow to
stir the soil to a greater depth than is reached by the surface cultivation.

Fr;. no.

Chicory, or Wild Succory,

Cichorium Intyhus (L).

wb.V^ f -nnjal weed introduced from Europe, with long, deop tap-root

uttL pT T^^f ^:'""^' "P' '^ "^^^ in adulterating cofTeC and as a
substitute for it. The .stems are almo.st leafless, from 1 to ,S feet hiah

Ttt r''"^' i^^'''''r ^"''"^ "'^' -'"^'^'^ ^" ««'-• The leaves, spmul
out on the ground, are long, with irregular edges. The Hower h^ads are

blanches. The flowers are about U inches acro.ss, bright blue in color,

/.-v

Fio. 30.

Chicory.

( Cichorium intybus. )

[71]

^^ w^

.^ J^.Z.

72

and are usually closed by ncoii. The seed is aliout \ in. lon^, taperintr
to a blunt point, the opposite end having' a fringe of minute liairs around
the crown. The body of the seed is corrugated. Ai\ average plant pro-
duces about 3,000 seeds.

Time of flowering, July- October.

Time of seeding, August- October.

Dispersal— frequently as an impurity in clover and gra.ss seed.

Eradication.— IhQ method outlined for Canada Thistle may be fol-
lowed in eradicating this weed, but the plow may have to be used more
frequently thpn is advisable in combating thistles.

Fi(i. :n.

Wild Lettuce, Solthekn Thi.stle, on Tiumpetmilkweed
(Erroneously called Prickly Lettuce.)

Lactuca Canadensis (L).

An annual or biennial plant with a leafy stem, which may attain ;.
height of seven feet. The leaves are deeply lobed, terminating in an
acute point, and have stalks or petioles, the lower ones being °s mailer
than those near the top of the stem- The stem branches at its summit
into a compound flower-cluster. The flowers are .small, yellow in color,
and open only a few at a time. The seed is dark brown in color, flat, and
oval, with longitudinal ribs and a thread-like beak at the apex, and
pos.se.sses a small 'vhite tuft of hair (Fig. :n, a).

Time of flowering, June-October.

Time of seeding, July-October.

Dispersal— chiefly by the wind.

Eradiraiion.— Where there is not .nuch of it,' pull and burn before
ripening. Whe-e this cannot be done, use the same method as for Mus-
tard (Fig. 15.)

Closely allied to this plant is the Prickly Lettuce {Lartwu scariola)
but dhstinguished from it by i^; leaves, the midrib of which is quite spiny
This variety is somewhat troublesome in pastures, but it can be eradicated
by cutting end burning before il -ds, or by following the same method a.
for Mustard (Fig. lo).

4.ii-

■'" ■■■■'

:^a/iiit

(-5-

Fig. :n.

Wild Lettuce
(,Lactuea Canadentii.)
[73]

liUibMiu»>*ft.-

74

Fig. 32.
Annual Sow Thistle, Common Sow Thistle, or Milk Thistle.

Sonchus oleraceus (L).

An annual weed introduced from Europe. It grows 2-3 feet high
has ^brous roots and leafy stem, and is not quite so large or coarse as'
the Perennial Sow Thistle. The leaves are much lobed, and have short
«oft spines. Each head is many-flowered; but the flowers are small'
about ^ in. across, and of a pale yellow color. The .seeds are brown thin'
and about i in. long, with longtitudinal markings, and attached to the
top IS a large tuft of fine hairs united at the base.
Time of flowering, June-August.
Time of seeding, July-August.
Dispersal— chiefly by the wind.

Eradication.-Cu\tiviite stubble-ground and sod early after harvest
and throughout the fall as for Canada Thistle (See Fig. 29). Follow with
hoed crop, preferably corn or roots, and cultivate thoroughly throughout
the growing seas. .i. Use the cultivator, instead of the plow, after roots
or com ; sow a crop of grain and seed with clover; if practicable, pull th.^
weeds by hand out of the grain crop: take one or two crops of hay or
pasture, and again break up the sod, plowing, harrowing and cultivatin..
as for Thistlep (Fig. 29).

Fio. 32.

Annual Sow Thistle.

{Sonckus olcraceus.)

[75]

70

Fig. 33.

Perennial Sow Thistle, Field Sow Thistle, oh Corn Sow

Thistle.

Sonchus arven8i>< (L).

A perennial weed, 1 to 3 feet high, with larcre and vifrorous root-
stocks, full of a milky white juice. The stems are rough, and the growth
of the lower part of the plant is rank. The leaves are deeply cut aud
furnished with .small spines, and at their base clasp the stem. The Howers
are bright yellow, of fair size, ), in. acros.s, an.l quite similar to those of
the Dandelion. They clo.se up in strong sunlight. The calyx, or flower
cup, is gieen and covered with yellowish bristles. The seed is brown' in
color and about | in. long, with both longitudinal and transverse mark-
ings. To the top, a tuft of silken hair is attach-d (Fig. .3:3,a). An av.-r-
age plant produces about 2,000 seeds

Time of flowering, June- August.

Time of seeding, June-August.

Dispersal— by running rootstocks, and the scattering of seeds by the
wind.

The Sow Thistle draws much water from the .soil and is a heavy
feeder. It is less troublesome on atirt clays than elsewhere.

iV^o^e.— Fig. 33, nearly natural si/e, shows the diflerence between
Annual and Perennial Sow Thistles.

^ Eradication.— The method used foi- the eradication ..f the Canada.
Thistle is recommended for this weed.

/^i

Fio. 33.
Perennial Sow Thistle,
(Sonchus arvensit.)

78

I

Fig. 34

Fleabane, or Horse Weed.

Erigeron Canadensis.

A tall hairy plant, very common in meadows. It is a winter annual
The stem is much branched and is hairy. The leaves arn downy, from 1
to 4 inches long. The flower heads are numerous, about ] in. broad,
with white flower rays. The seeds are small, light in color, and 1-16 in.'
long, with a pappus of short tufty hairs. An average plant produces
120,000 seeds (Kerner).

Time of flowering, June-September,

Time of seeding, June-September.

Dispersal— chiefly by the wind.

Eradication.— n^vmif a small root, this weed can be cpHly pulled.
Hence, where there is not very much of it, hand-pulling is a salisiactory
means of eradication. As a rule, the weed is ^-oublesome only in
meadows, and the frequent breaking up of meadow land tends to koep it
under control.

I

f

II

Fio. 34.
Flkabank.

{Erigeron Canadensis )

[79]

'mf^>tf-\

*1_

>«

80

The following ..Mo in.licatos coinpamtive .lestructiveness of .
Untarm wa-eds, fompiled t.oiu reports of correspondents in nearlve
township la tlie Province '"'.^»'

Canada Thisth' —

Mustard ^

Wild Oat -

Oouehcjrass . — __^^

ling weed .

Ov-eye Daisy .

False Flax . . .

Dock

Burdock

Foxtail

Pifj weed

Perennial Sow Thistle

Blue weed

Annual Sow Thistle

Chess

Bindweed

JSheep Sorrell

Purple Cockle

Dandelion

Lamb's Quarters

White Cockle ]^^|^^[[^

Purslane

Moth Mullein

Shepherd's Purse

Wormseed J\Iuf;tard

Dodder

Hound's Tonofue ....

iiib Grass

Bladder Campion

Fleabane

Mullein

Pennyci-ess

Cornflower

Pepper Grass

Catchflv

;