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rc 1653 Eon Uoin StrMi
('16) 2U - 3S89 - Fa,

[OCTOB1

HOV

BULLETIN 168.]

Ontario Department of Agriculture.

ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

The Perennial Sow Thistle and some other
Weed Pests of 1 908.

By J. Eaton Howitt, M.S. A., Demonstrator in Botany.

FOREWORD.

\ The discussion of the Weed Pests of 1908 is a matter of emphatic

|> concern. Through investigation, wide correspondence, and the reports

of visitors and Farmers' Institute workers, it becomes more and more
apparent to the Department of Botany that the Province of Ontario, at
I^ii^e, is sorely menaced in its agricultural industry by the spreading of
noxious weeds. They are usurping our fields and greatly increasing the
cost of producing crops. In the majority of cases, they attain a foot-
hold before they are recognized and combatted. Very often they secure
entrance into clean land through the use of seed whose impurities are not
known. Ignorance of weeds, like all other ignorance, is costly. They
are an enemy that is fought better by fore-knowledge than after-skill.
Every farmer should be warned and prepared to resist their entrance or
their first sign of attack.

Recently in the Province of Nova Scotia when it was found that an
influx of the Brown Tail Moth, that has caused much damage in the New
England States, was imminent, the pupils in the schools were organized
into a first line of defence. To resist the attack of weeds there is need
for similar oi^anized precaution throughout the country ; not only through
the scholars in the schools but by everyone concerned.

Mr. Howitt has been giving special attention to this weed problem.
The following pages will be found timely and suggestive. The weed
pest of igo8 for one man becomes the weed pest of 1909 and succeeding
years for a widening circle of sufferers.

S'. B. McCREADY.
Botanical Department, Ontario Agricultural College,
October, igoS.

[t]

Fig. 1. Spiny Annual Sow Thistle
(Sonchtu (uper. )

[2]

THE SPREAD OF NOXIOUS WEEDS.

In spite of the progrresi tltat agriculture ii making in Ontario, a
number of very bad weeds are steadily, and in some instances rapidly,
spreadmg: over the farms of the Province. This is due to various causes
chief among which are the following: — '

1. The neglect of the great majority of farmers to make themselves
acquainted with the appearance and habit of growth of the worst weeds
in the Province, in order that they may attack and exterminate them
when they first appear upon their farms. It is a comparatively easy task
to root out and destroy a few bad weeds in a field, but it is an extremely
difficult, tedious, and costly undertaking to attempt to clean a field which
has become over-run with a creeping perennial, such as Couch Grass or
Canada Thistle.

2. The failure to cut the weeds on the road sides, along the railways,
in neglected fields, and in fence corners before they mature and distribute
their millions of seeds far and wide.

3. That far too much impure clover, hay, and grain seed is sown,
either through ignorance, carelessness, or false economy. It would not
be an exaggeration to say that seventy-five per cent, of the clover and
timothy seed sown in the Province contains in various amounts from one
to a dozen different kinds of weed seeds.

4. That many new weeds are being brought into the Province as
seeds in screenings from the elevators in the West. These screenings are
ground in Ontario mills, mixed with corn, barley or oats and sold for
feed as mixed chop. Many of the weed seeds are not crushed in grinding
and thus find their way on to Ontario farms.

<«

OBJECTS' OF THE BULLETIN.

1. To give as much information as possible about the Perennial Sow
Thistle with the hope of aiding all who have to contend against this most
serious pest.

2. To call attention to and describe six other weeds which are gain-
ing ground in Ontario. Some of these have but recently been introduced :
others have been in the Province for some years ; but more information
is required about all of them, judging by the numerous enquiries received
concerning them.

3. To give as much definite information as possible about the best
methods of eradicating each of these pests.

4. To call attention to the necessity for uniti action upon the part of
all engaged in farming in order that the Perennial Sow Thistle may be
held in check.

n 1

J

I

Fig. 2. Perennial Sow Thistle (.SiwjcAtM ori'«j*ii).
[4]

Thi Prrrnnial Sow Thistli.

(Sonchus arvensts, L.)

Thin ia by all means the worst wee^ in the Province of Ontario at
the present time. It is found in alm<i)*t every county, and upon almost
every farm. So rapidly and so persistently is it spreadinf? that in some
parts of the IVovmce it threatens to entirely over-run the fields and driic
out the farmer. In spite, however, of it!« wide dis{Hrsal there are many
who are not able to rcccignize this pest and who mistake it for its two
comparativtly harmless cousins, the Common Annual Sow Thistle and
the Spiny Annual Sow ThiMlf. This should not be the case, as it is a
very conspicuous weed, and differs markedly from the other two species.
The I erennial Sow Thistle ^rrows freely op a great variety (.f soils, but
IS espcv. ally troublesome on rich, low, dr. ,j land. It appears f- first
year in a field in scattered patches consiMing of young plants, each plant
made up of a rosette of leaves lying close to the ground, and thus, when
numerous, they completely cover it. These young plants have but short
underground root stocks, and are comparatively easy to destroy. The
second year a large stem bearing numerous leaves and ftewers is pro-
duced and the rootstocks grow long and send up quantifies of new shoots,
once established in this manner, it is no easy task to destroy this pest.

Description: The Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is a
tall, coarse growing perennial weed with deep roots £.nd numerous thick,
underground stems or rootstocks, commonly spoken of as "roots." Upon
these at intervals of a few inches arc borne buds which develop into new
plants. The stem is smooth and hollow and the whole plant is filled with
a bitter miKy juice. The leaves are pointed, 4 to u inches long, deeply
cut with the segments pointed backwards (runcinatc), slightly prickly.
The flowers, or more correctly speaking, the heads of flowers are about
1 to i^ inches across, and bright orange in color. The involucre, or, as
It is commonly called the flower cup. and the peduncles or flower stems
are covered with distinct, fellov glandular bristles. The seeds are dark
reddish-browr ,n color, ^hont J . an inch long, somewhat spindle shaped
with blunt r is, and eavh surf beflr-^ a number of very deeply wrinkled
longitudinal ribs. Each seed rs at the top a tuft of white silky hairs
(pappus) which, when dry, acth a* a parachute and enables the seed to be
borne long distances by the wia*

Points of Distinction Bsi\<

Ann!

i'ERENNIAI. Sow ThISTLE AND THE
'HISTLES.

1. The Perennial Sow Thirty t a taller, coarser growing plani than
either of the other two Sow ThistU s.

2. The Perennial Sow Thistle numerous underground rootstocks
while the annual species have only \ -^us rc^ts. (See illustrations.)

*

I

Fig ft. L*at of (a) Common Annual ; ('.) Spiny Annul ; (c) Perennial

Sow Thintle.

I rf 6. Creeping " root" of perennial Sow Thistle.

Is

I

andlih.H,„i , *''• ^"T""" ^"""«' Sow Thistle are deeply cut

Tri^^^r.^"""^^^ *P'"y- ^'^ '^«^*^« of 'he Spiny Annual Sow Thistk
are almost entire, veo; prickly and often decidedly waxy. The leaves of

t^J^rz'zi'r^^'ir '''''' ^"' ''" "°* '°^^ -^^^^^^

oK„ f J*?*" ''flowers" of the Perennial are bright orang-e in color and

1^6VJr^"i-'T-''J'^'''' '^' "°""^ °f the Annuals^^re pale yeUow
and less than J inch in diameter. 7"iuw

th. p" ^^^- ',' c°'^*!:;P"P^" ('"volucres) and "flower stems" (peduncles) of
he Perennial Sow Thistle are conspicuously covered with yeUow Sndu
lar bnstles while those of the annual species are nearly sm^c^tT ^

6. The seeds of the three species also differ as to shape and mark-
ings as shown by the accompanying illustrations.

How THE Perennial Sow Thistle is Spread.
The Perennial Sow Thistle is being rapidly and widely spread bv
nieans of its numerous seeds, which are blowS far and wide by thrwind"^
and to some extent by its abundant underground rootstocks which whh
remarkable rapidity, spread through a field sending up new shSts wS
soon en .rely cover the ground and choke out all other veytaSn The
roots ocks when broken up are often carried from field 1^ Charrow
Ids Th°e';e ' 'rh'"" T'Tf ''''' ^" ^^^^^^^ plant p^uLs'c^
farms, on road sides and in fence corners. Many more mature olants
are harvested with the grain and their millions of seeds sca«ered at
hreshing times Is it to be wondered that the Perennial Sbw ThistS
IS becoming such a serious pest in Ontario?

Methods of Eradication.

r- ^''ff* Y^""^^"^^^*^ ""''^'' ^^^ headings of General Suggestions
General Methods and Detailed Methods. f.&esrions,

General Suggestions.

II '• ?^^'' '" '"•"«' that a few patches of Perennial Sow Thistle if
allowed to mature may seed down a whole neighborhood. Therefore

Lra5nriHlT'""°" '° P'*"""* '^^ ^^^''•"^ °f P^^^^hes in meadows]
grain fields, fence corners, and on the road side.

thPn,\ 7^^V°'' ^\^'^^ ^"^ "^ ^^'^ P^'^^hes in the field and destroy
them before the pest becomes established. ^

th. .tA^ *'^^^!."' "°* to harrow or cultivate through patches and drag
the underground rootstocks all over the field. ^

4- The Perennial Sow Thistle thrives most luxuriantly on rather low
damp land. Underdrainine therefore will help to control it

««»^' -u^ ^'^ ^^"^ °^^^'^ ''■^*=^' ^"^' 'f t^^ed on a field after har-
vest^ will prevent its seeding and by their close cropping weaken the
underground rootstocks. "^ ^

Fi^. 7 . "Seed " of perennial Sow Thistle. Fig. 8. " See I of common annual Sow Thistle.
Enlarged about 12 times. Enlarged about 12 times.

Fig. 9. " Seed " of spiny Annual Sow Thistle,
EnUiged about 12 times.

Fig. 10. Seeds of Bladder Campion.
Enlarged about 12 times.

10

Gbnbral Methods.

with Z PerenS'sow°ThUtifl°nrf'^»K^ "*'"°!* importance in dealinir
sharp, short rotation o7croos iho^^H 2 'i "^"i*' °' "**« "«t"^e- Son,!
frequent use of the cStivX th° 11 St ^"^"f*?' '^'^'^^ *"1 aUow of the
and the introduction o7rsShIrcmot^^^^ ^°^"' »^'°^« «~ding!
mend a system of croppin^Thi^ ^1^/ ''^f 1"0P- ©"e cannot recom-
Each farmer must selSt the roution whVk ^^^^^^ '" *" '^'"''^ °' f«"nins-
tK>ns. keeping in mind those ?eatu4o^^^^^^^^^^^ t*''!"*"* *° ^'^ <=°"<«-

h.m to fight the Perennial Sow ThiSe '^^'''^ ^"^ ''"* «"«We

it of liXanTfir. ^ThfsTslcoLTJl'^^K'' *° "*'" '^"^ '^"^ by depriving
crop, such as rape or bucl^lSSrii;: Kr''.''^ ^'"'"«^ ^°'"« ''"^^k gfowinf
- in a weakene'd condhtn the r^ri^^^.^ "J"*^ ^'^^ *^^«"«

^f,T'l '^"^y ^^«''«We foot of the land a* Hf ""°i*'"'" ^™P ^°°"
which the thistle in its weakened statep^n. °""' ^ ^^"''« ^^^^d* i"
same result is obtained by S^ei? the nl»n? '°"u'""" *° ^^^^^ The
etc., to a sufficient depth to prevem them f '""'' u.""^^' '^'^*' '"^es.
keepmg them covered long enough .n^ from reaching the light and
require a year at least. SucESment is n/* '^' "'°^''" ^his will
deahng with small patches. *'"*"'^"* '« °f course only practicable i.,

whicf aflof oTthoS^uXSh^t^^^^^^ ~™ -"d roots,

by which many weeds may beeff^tfvdvfo K^'^ig' P'"^"'^" ^ '"^^"^
not give entire satisfaction in fieht£th?p"^'''.' , "°*^ "°PS ^Jone do
largely due to the fact tha in cu h^fattl .ohT'' S°": thistle. This is
cut. but not all destroyed and in a short !im^ ""5 *^* rootstocks are
Hoed crops, therefore, are useful VuZl J^"*^ ^^^'"^ *« &™w again,
not be depended upon alone XXufd t' '^V''- ''''"'''' ''"* '"^ould
other measures as outlined further on "^^'^ '" connection with

Summer Fallowing Thi'E r^^^u 1 •
sorts of weeds, including the P^renn^l^. ''^^"''^1'^"'.^ efficacious with all
this weed a bare fallow i! understood or f tT ."*''• u^^ ^^"°^'"^ '"^
ficent cultivation to prevent the pesl from r. T"^^^^^ '« given suf-
of seeds or roots. A neglected f»IlL • '^P™^"*^'"^ itself by means
weed bed. and is uselesrfnd 1 lource'f conT'"^ •'"°^" °' '^"^^an a
he farm. The .hief objectk^n oTnowinr-^T'l'°" '°'' ^^^^^ field on
for a season, but this is probably offset bvfh. l\^^'"^ '^'^ "^ ^^^ "^'^
as compared with other methods whrch r.I "'^^'^*'^«"««s of the method
time and attention. At The present t^'r.""""^ ^'^^' ^^^' '"^'•^ '«bor.
resorting to this method, consfderin * it on t'h" ^"'r'^.'"^"^ '^™"« «-e
and most effective. ^ '* °" ^"^^ ^I'o'e the most economical

the ptT^X\''Zt 'W ts'-'^anl'Tir" ^^^^f^y^^ W dieging out
should be taken to ge't ev:r;%it'of t"e '"root^-'T. '''".. ^^^^^^

root. The patch should be

11

watched, and if new shoots appear they should be taken out at once. In
an ordinary season several dippings will be required in order to com-
pletely exterminate a patch.

Detailed Methods.

Several methods of exterminating the Perennial Sow Thistle are
here outlined in detail. They have all been suggested by practical farm-
ers. It is hoped that those who are looking for information on this sub-
ject will find among them a method suited to their own conditions.

Method No. i. This method is suggested by Professor Zavitz, who
found it effective in the eradication of Quack Grass. Cultivate the field
until about the middle of June, running over it frequently with the culti-
vator so as to keep the tops down and thus weaken the "roots." Then
apply manure at the rate of about 20 tons per acre (12 good loads). Cul-
tivate the manure in thoroughly and with a double mould board plow
slightly ridge up the land, making the ridges about 26 inches apart. On
the ridges sow pasture rape at the rate of ij lbs per acre. It is important
that the right amount of rape should be sown, for if too little is sown
the stand will not be thick enough to smother the weeds, and if on the
other hand too much is sown the plants will be too crowded and not grow
vigorously enough to keep ahead of the thistle. Sow the rape when the
land is sufficiently moist to insure quick germination of the seed. If the
rape is slow in starting the Sow Thistle may get a start in the rows and
thus necessitate hand cultivation there. Cultivate the rape every week
or ten days until it occupies all the ground and makes further cultivation
impossible. If, when the rape is cut or pastured, any Sow Thistles
remain, the field should be ridged up the last thing in the fall and put
in with a hoed crop the following year. This should not be necessary
if a good stand of rape is secured.

Method No. 2. This is a system of intensive cropping suggested by
Professor Zavitz. As soon as a cereal crop is harvested, plow the land and
give frequent cultivation to the first or middle of September. Then sow
winter rye at the rate of about two bushels per acre. This can be pas-
tured the following spring, or cut for hay or grain. As soon as the crop
is off the land, put in rape, turnips or buckwheat. The advantage of this
system is that three crops are harvested in two years and the Sow Thistle
fought at the same time.

Method No. 3. This method is recommended by Professor Day.
Immediately after harvest gang-plow shallow and run over the field sev-
eral times with the broad shared cultivator. Later in the fall plow a
little deeper, and continue cultivating every week or ten days as long as
the season permits. Last thing before the ground freezes rib up the land
with a double mould board plow. The following spring give frequent
cultivation up to the first of July, then sow pasture rape.

12

s~di„g d»„ Wirt doTr Fo?L ° 3 r::!' «''■"■" r".'* »«■"■

ins t'K-:rrriiE f rT ""°" -"■ " -^^ •—

The field must ^ cStedtw-^' "^T/"'" """^^ ''^ « '"''^ /"""«'•
keeping the tops down and hrri,-^ ^ ^""^ frequently, with the object of
the grfund as many of the 'vSts"*;,"^ and bringing: to the surfice of

farm in seasons wh^,^ o^^mtJhXwe ^^t^^t ^X^^J^.S^

Bfmdder Campion. Cow Bell ok Bladder Weed.

(Silene inflata, L.)

farm™ OntSt?atuT;1,i:h ? '^ ^'""'"^ ' ^^"^^ P-' - -"X
during the pas two years ut J'^T T7 '"^"'"^^ ^^""^ ^^'^ "^de
seed. A laJge numl^r oftJ sP^ead ch.efly as an impurity in clover

red and alsik^ cloved sent to th7S„l''°T Tn^' ^^P^'^'^"^ '"^^^^ -'

son for examination as to purity have C'"/ ^ ."'""" * •" ''^'' '''-
of this weed. As it is a fZll^l I ^°""*^. ^"^ *^°"^^'" ^^e seeds
once it becomes estaWishedU^^V^"'' ^"^ ''•*^'^"'* *° exterminate
clover seed free from Sll^tvW ?"% '"""°k* ""' *"'^^" ^'^ ^--"^«
any stray specimens that 1;"'" means my fi'^d "11 ■' ''' '"^'^ ^"'^ ''"^"
Descrittion Tl,« Ri ^^"^ "'^^"f '"^y "nd their way on to the farm.

deep r?otet f"eelj brane^t" ^r''"" /^''"'"f '"^"'"^ '^ « naturalized.
Family (Car^SLe^,) ft -mX'"f' ^^^ . ^'t'^^S:'"'' to the Pink
The leaves are ovarirnLlate"^ Z^^^^ «.x inches to t,.^ feet high,
ing around the stem tZ^^L """ooth m pairs with their bases meet-

and borne in loose duJterswS T 't'*"' T"^^- "" '"'^♦^ '"^ ^'^-^^er
two-cleft and the calvx r^ntl, • a /J^ °i'l" drooping. The petals ar«

pHsh veins."'i?rs5S; trLtrai^x^ St tf^tt^iL' ''^'^^^^ ^"^-

c^u=T^.-.serpt;.--^^^^^^^^^

the top by 5 short recurved til ThU w H fl '"^' ""^ "^""^ ^^
August and matures seed from ^uTy to siotSr T" *'"'" -^-""^ *°
seed are produced. They are aho„t , ?« ? • J • ^'"'^^ quantities of
kidney-sh'aped. Hght br^wrto^'dTrVgVey i:"coW 'th''"^*'/ ""^"'"'^
w.th regularly arranged rows of tuberSS^ TyS'al'.IelXt^a mai:3

18

depression at the scar. This character, and the more conical shape of
the tubercles, make .t possible for a careful observer to distinguish \hem
from the seeds of the Night-flowering Catchfly „nd White Cockle, which
they resemble very closely.

Fig. 11. Bladder Campion (*i7wf tn/flta.)

■■fl

14

branched. A good-siz'ed'Xt'wm'hrve a"'* T^ '°"^' ""*=•*' «"<« ""ch
numerous deep rootstocks a ^.JJi *• u^°°* °^*'" t*o feet lonir with
system is necessarily TarJ to co^b^ft ''in '"''' ^" ""dergrounf "<S

should be carefully dug out eariv^n^. u ■ ^ /^"^oyed. Small patches
.•ngr. taking pains to ffet everv L T \'" '^^ '*^«»°" t° prevent S
.nfested fields shouId^£ pSd d^nt '^" "!?* ""'^ rootstScks. B^Sfy
then thoroughly cultivated aTd cro«^ ■mmed.ately after harvc ,, ; and

ihe^^lr '•" °^'"'^ ^° <="t up ^nd weaken Ihr^'r^' ^'''^ broad-shared
i he followmg spring continue this din ".? "^''^^^^"''d "-oot system.

tTo '"'S' ?''' •' '^ t-n^e to put in a'^h^H '*'°" «V "*"^«'« "' about
thoroughly dean in order to be effective "''^' '"'''"'' •"""» »^ kept

Fig. 12. Boot of Bladder Campion

SlUnkweed or Penny Cress.
UliloKpi arien»e..\
About « natural eize.

15

Stinkweeo, Penny Cress.

(Thlaspi arvense, L.)

Though this weed is by no means new to the Province of Ontario, it
is worthy of attention here as it is being constantly reported from new
sections of the Province. It seems to be spreading through the agency
of ground feed made from Western screenings and to some extent as
an impurity in farm seeds. It is considered to be one of the worst pests
of the grain fields of the West. Careful watch should be kept for it, as
it is a very free seeder, and the seeds are said to have great vitality and
to be able, like mustard seed, to remain in the ground for some years.

I

t

Fig. 14. Seeds of Penny Cress.

(Photo by Prof. M. V. Stingerland, Cornell Univ.)

Enlarged about 13 times.

Description. Stinkweed or Penny Cress is an annual or winter
annual belonging to the Mustard Family (Cruciferae). It is a foul smell-
ing plant from i to 2 feet high, bearing smooth, dark green, sessile
leaves, and clusters of small white flowers, which develop into orbicular
pods. These are flat, notched at the top, and about half an inch broad.
It is from these peculiarly shaped pods that the plant gets its common
name, Penny Cress. Each pod contains about a dozen seeds. The seeds
are about 1-14 of an inch long, flat, irregularly oval, bronzy brown to
metallic black in color, with regularly arranged curved lines on both sur-
faces.

16

<; M ^'t^^f"""; "^"** P"" *"** •""■" when in small quantities. If the
field .s badly infested the following method of eradication's recommend^
Run a disk or harrow over the stubble as soon as the crop is removed
so as to start mto growth the seeds near the surface. The following
sprmg cultivate or harrow these plants down ; and as soon as growth of
fresh plants starts, plow the land and harrow at once. This land may be

tZlhl '° "* ^'V ["1 "?P °' " ""^y ^ "^'P' ""«'«'• « <:•=«" fallow for
the whole season if the land can be spared. The following spring any
growth of weeds should be cultivated down before sowing 7he crol"^
.«.w li *) ^f^ ^°T'''* P*^"* '''"'"'^ ""^^^ be plowed down, as the
eSble*ime" * *^'°""'' ^"'^ '"^'"''''" '^^" ^'*""*y for consid!

Russian Thistlb.
(Salsola Kali, var. tragus, Moq.)

This is a new weed which has appeared on many farms in Ontario
seJr i L'^e U""r- '' ^^ '^•=" •"*'°'""'^ ^^ an'impurity ?n Ala ^
^trft^^f^ f^n?^^^\''-^ ""^ ?^'"P'** °^ ^'^^'^« ^^^'J examined at the
^rTZ 1- ?*f."^ '•"' 'P""*^ contained the *eeds of this weed
and already this fall several specimens of the weed, found in AlfaUa

Fig. 15. Russian Thistle. {Sulxola Kali var. Tragm.)
•Farm Weeds of CBnadaT by G«>: hT Clark "and Dr. Jam7s Flet^ierT

17

fields, have been sent in for identification. The Russian Thistle is a very
serious pest in tieveral of the Western States, and is found in the Prairie
Provinces, but has not yet been reported as beings very troublesome
there. The plants, when ripe, break off at the surface of the (ground and
are rolled long distances by the wind, scattering their numerous seeds on
their journey. It is this tumbling ha At that mai<cs this weed particularly
adapted to the prairie lands oi the West, and it probably will never be
a serious pest in Ontario where fences, trees and other obstructions will
prevent its being spread far and wide by the wind.

Description, The Russian Thistle is a native of Europe and West-
ern Asia. It is a nearly smooth, bushy branched annual, from i to 3
feet high. Mature plants are mere or less spherical in form. The stems
and branches are red in color. The leaves are awl-sha-< d, one to two inches
long, soft and fleshy when young, very prickly pointed when mature.
The flowers are inconspicuous, being small, without petals, and solitary
in the axils of the leaves. The seeds are about i-ia of an inch long,
obconical in general outline, with a cup-shaped depression at the upper
end in the centre of which is a pointed projection, color dull grey or
green, embryo spirally coiled.

Fig. 16. Seeds of Russian Thistle.
(a) Complete seeds.
(/)) Kmbryo.
Enlarged al)out 12 times.

Fig. 17. Seed of Field Pepper Grass or Cow
Cress.
Enlarged about 12 times.

Eradication. The Russian Thistle being an annual weed is not hard
to exterminate. If once cut off at the surface of the ground it never grows
again, and hence in well cultivated fields it is not likely to prove a pest.
The chief danger lies in neglect. A single plant produces an enormous
number of seeds, and if a few specimens are allowed to mature they will
seed down a whole field and cause serious trouble the following year,

2 Bull. 168.

-.^-■SS=ifci=r

It

•

Mpeet«>'v in ■ crop which dnei not allow of the frequent um of the culti-
vator. farmers in Ontario should, therefore, be on the lookout for this
weed and destroy any specimens they may nd in their fkldi, fence cor-

'!!IU"' "* *''* '™"* ''***"• " ■ "*''* '• neglected until it becomes
■•eded, repeated plowing will be required in order to clean it. •"When
the plant is not more than six inches high careful plowing with a drag
Cham from the end of the doubletrees to the plow beam, dragging back
so as to have every plant dragged under the furrow, with harrowing to
fill every crevice between the furrows will destroy every plant that cannot
get its leaves to the surface."

Field Pbppek Gnass or Co.. Cress.

(Lepidium campestre, Br.)

This is a comparatively new weed in Ontario, about which many
enquiries have been received during the past two years. From informa-
tion gathered from correspondents it seems certain that it has been spread
as an impurity in clover seed.

Description. Field Pepper Grass or Cow Cress is an introduced
annual or biennial weed belonging to the Mustard Family (Cruciferae).
It grows from r co 2 feet high and branc.es freely above. The basal
leaves are petioled, oblong and entire; stem leaves spear-shaped, entire or
slightly toothed and cla.*ping the stem by their arrow-shaped bases.
Flowers are small, white or yellowish in color. The seed pods are
broadly ovate boat-shaped, being rounded below and hollowed out above.
They stand out stiffly from the stem on pedicels of about their own length
The seeds are reddish brown in color, about 1-12 of an inch long, sharply
egg-shaped, rounded or somewhat flattened, and the surface is granular
and sughtly scurfy.

Eradication. Hand pull small patches. Cut clover early enough to
prevent seeding. Plow up badly infested fields, and put in a hoed crop for
one season. "^

Dodder, Devil's Gut or Strangle Weed.

(Cuscuta epithytnum, Murr.)

This weed is spreading very rapidly, as an impurity in Alfalfa and
clover seed. It is by no means a new weed in Ontario, but during the past
year has been especially abundant. Judging by the numerous samples sent
in for Identification, and by the host of questions asked concerning it, more
information is required as to its appearance, habit of growth and method
of control. It is therefore discussed rather fully here.

•BuUeti'n No. 26, Iowa Agr. College Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. "

10

Fig. 18. Field Pepper Qnae or Cow Crew (I^pidiwn ca"i'<$tre).

Fig. 19. Field Dodder on Red Clover, a Flowering Cnwter ; b Cliwter
of Ury Seed Vfosels. From a photograph. iNutural size.

(Reproduced bv the courtCTvofthe U 8. Dept of Afiriculture. from F.rmen' Bmietfn
806 Dodder In Relation to Farm Beedi," by F. U. Hlllman.)

H

11

Dtteription. Dodder dill « from ordinary weeds in potteuinir no
luvct. The jrellow thread-lilce atemi of the plant twinr around the clover
plant* and tend into their tiMues amall ahort rootkts, which are called
■uckers or hauatoria. By meani of these auckers the Dodder diawa from
the clover the food neccstary for its {growth and reproduction. It thus
kills the clover by rnbbinRr the plant of ita food and causinff it to starve.

Fig. 20. Heed of Dodder.
Enlarged about 12 limes.

IS

The yellow thread-like stems of the Dodder first appear quite early in the
season. They soon spread from plant to plant until a tangled mass of
yellow threads covers a whole patch of clover. Badly infested fields may
become entirely covered with this pest in a short time. On these yellow
threads are producid dense clusters of small white flowers, which are
succeeded by rounded, brown seed pods. Each plant produces a large
number of seeds. The seeds vary in size from 1-24 to 1-15 of an inch;
are gny or yellowish brown in color, vary greatly in shape, but are gen-
erally somewhat oval in outline, and the surface is dull and roughened.

Eradication. Great care should be taken to secure clover seed free
from Dodder seed. Clover seed containing this impurity is dear at any
price. Small patches should be mowed, raked and burnt early enough to
prevent seeding. If, by any chance, some of the seeds are scattered
before the patches are mowed, several thorough hoein;,s should be given
in order to picveot any young planis from getting established. Badly
infested fields should be plowed and put under a hoed crop for a season.
Clover should not again be sown in the field for two or three years.

Paint Brush, Devil's Paint Brush or Orange Hawk Weed.
(Hieracium aurantiacum, L.)

h..J!il!! "7**'" ***^ '^^'''^ '"" *f*'"'"*f *rround in Ontario. It has
been common for some time in the eastern part of the Province, but is

^Zr^T'^ ■'- '?«'"^/°""<' " f" w"t as Oxford County. Has L„
found m the vicinity of Guelph for several years. It is beii^ dispersed!"

Fig. 21. Orange Ilawkweed or
Deyil'a Paint Brush.

(Hieradum aurantiacum)

an impurity in clover seed, and by means of its tufted seeds, which are
blown about by the wind. It is a serious pest when it gets into meadows
and pastures, as it spreads rapidly by runners and soon crowds out the
grass. Careful watch should therefore be kept to prevent its establish-
ment upon the farms of Ontario.

99

Description. It is a perennial weed of European origin, and produces
slender runners, which lie near the surface of the soil. The leaves are
all basal, and lie close to the ground, forming a rosette. They are
broadly lance-shaped, from 2 to 6 inches in length, the "flower" is
orange red in color, about a-3 of an inch in diameter, and borne in clusters
on the top of a simple, nearly leafless stem from 12 to 18 inches high.
The seeds are provided with tufts of down. When found in clover seed,
however, the down is usually absent. They are torpedo-shaped, about
1-12 of an inch long, and ribbed lengthwise. Ripe seeds are dull jet black
in color, unripe seeds deep red.

Eradication. Paint Brush is but a shallow rooted perennial, and
readily succumbs to cultivation. Infested meadows and pastures should
be broken up and put under a short rotation of crops. Salt at the rate
of 1 1 tons per acre is recommended for the destruction of this weed. It
should be scattered over the patches so as to fall on the leaves. It is
claimed that it destroys the Paint Brush and improves the grass.

Fig . 22 . Seed of Orange Hawk weed .
Enlarged about 12 timee.

Know the Weeds.
It is very important that those engaofed in farming should get to
know the worst weeds, and the weed seeds most frequently found in com-
mercial seeds. This they can do with a little trouble. Strange weeds
should be sent to the Botanical Department here for identification and a
collection of the most common weed seeds should be secured for refer-
ence and comparison. In order to aid farmers and others to test their

r

84

S"ce^stcaVe,*coma'i^^^^^ will furnish at cost

Control Act of 1905, toefther Zu! "*''t«>ver«d by the Dominion Seed
weed seeds they ?^niJ:^ ZsT^^s^Ziu'? !'''' °( *"« "«•"" of t Je
^y applying to the Botanical D:;a';t"e^r 5. Ji^C.X^^^^^^ '' "^ ««"«

Magnifying Glasses.

Fig. 24. Linen Tester.

eral tinrofTh^^^Lt'aL^ be"""^ '" '^'^"^'^^'"^ -d. 3ev-
«tore. Cuts of some orth" best of tC'"' "* "^""^^ ^"^ i--"e%
most convenient and cheapest gl'ses are the f • '". '"■'■ ^"^^P^ ^^e
linen tester. ^ S'asses are the tripod magnifier and the

Th. n ^"'^ Identification and Seed Testing

The Department of Botany is at fhp c • r ,
seed merchants and others in the iden ification nf' °V^™^"' gardeners,
diseases, grasses and economic plSnov° f"^': ^""^ '"^^^' P'^^t
ested and reported upon as to pSv abitelt"? "'"'Y 'l'"" ^^^^« «-
specimens and samples of seeds shoi ri h? ft ^'^^ °^ ^''^''fi^^- P'ant
with postage prepaid to the Botan°c^ be carefully packed and addressed
College. Guelph, Ontario **'''^"'^^' department, Ontario Agricultural