250 TKANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



from some garden or has been introduced in the grass seed. I am 

 not well enough acquainted with it to give a description. 



Purslane ( Portulaca oleracea) is a great pest in old soil where 

 it has once established itself. It does not start to grow until late in 

 the season, but matures rapidly after it does start. When left 

 undisturbed, it usually grows to a large size and smothers out the 

 other weeds. It is very prolific, over 1,250,000 seed being counted 

 on a single plant. Frequent cultivation will usually keep it 

 down. It is very tenacious of life, often maturing a crop of seed 

 after it has been pulled up. 



One of the worst weeds that can be found on our farms is the 

 common bind- weed (Convolvulus arvensis),hj some called wild morn- 

 ing-glory. The perennial roots sink deep into the earth and are cap- 

 able of growing from every joint, so that plowing usually aggravates, 

 rather than dispenses with the trouble. Among grain and in corn 

 fields, late in the season, it is especially obnoxious, twining among the 

 grass and grain and making a tangled mass. The only remedy I know 

 of is frequent hoeing during the growing season; I have one or two 

 instances in mind where it has proved effectural. 



In some sections the toad-flax (Linaria 7' ?<?^ar/s^ is gaining a 

 foothold. This is the " butter and eggs " of the East and is there 

 considered a great nuisance. It is a native of Wales and was intro- 

 duced into our country as a garden flower. 



Everybody is acquainted with the coarse, homelj' burdock 

 (Lappa Major), and in most sections this weed is not only found in 

 the country, but large numbers of them may be found in the back 

 streets and alleys of most small towns and cities. This weed is hard 

 to eradicate after the ground is once seeded, as the seed often lies in 

 the ground ten or twelve years before germinating. The burrs are 

 especially obnoxious in pasture land as they get into the wool and 

 hair of sheep and cattle. Cutting below the ground and burning 

 the plant is the most effectual remedy. 



The above are but a few of our pests, of which there are many 

 hundreds. Many of them may be strangers to you, but you should 

 strive to make their acquaintance with the hoe and plow. When- 

 ever you see a strange plant on your place and you are not sure 

 whether it is a noxious weed or not; condemn it on suspicion and 

 destroy it. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Minkler — Those are two excellent papers. The eradication 

 of these weeds and noxious plants seems to be no one's business and 

 does not get done. This sweet clover is getting to overrun our roads 

 and is a great nuisance. I think the Canada thistle commissioners 

 should include the burdock, as it is as bad as the thistle. 



