224 



EX PERI MEN TA L FA RMS. 



The Russian Thistle or Russian 

 Tumble-weed (Salsola Kali, L., var. Tra- 

 gus, DO, Fig. 19) referred to in my last 

 report, was detected in July last in 

 Manitoba. Immediately on receipt of 

 specimens, I prepared for distribution 

 to the farmers of Manitoba and the 

 North-west Territories a short bulletin 

 (Experimental Farm Notes, No. 4) giv- 

 ing an illustrated description and con- 

 cise history of the weed, and sug- 

 gestions as to the best steps to be 

 taken to prevent its spread. At the 

 same time, the Manitoba Government 

 adopted vigorous measures to fight this 

 terrible pest of the Dakotas and some 

 of the other North-western United 

 States. The farmers of the west, and 

 in fact of the whole Dominion, seem 

 to be thoroughly aroused and to re- 

 cognize the danger of neglecting this 

 enemy. This is evidenced by the very 

 large number of letters of inquiry and 

 specimens sent in to see if they were 

 the Russian thistle. These specimens 

 were for the most part the true Tumble- 

 weed of the west, Amarantus albus, L. 

 from Manitoba, the North-west and 

 British Columbia, and Sonchus arven- 

 sis, L., from Ontario and Quebec. 



Although I have made inquiries 

 from correspondents in Manitoba dur- 

 ing the last two years as to whether 

 they had observed any plants of the 

 Russian Thistle, I could not learn 

 of its occurrence in Canada until July 

 last. However, Mr. James Dale, of 

 Grund, Man., sent me in the begin- 

 ning of September, old stems of the 

 previous year. I was under the im- 

 pression that this was the first record of the occurrence of the pest in Canada, but 

 I find, from an extended report by Mr. A. K. Leith, the Inspector of Noxious 

 "Weeds, of the Manitoba Department of Agriculture and Immigration, an advance 

 copy of which has been kindly placed in my hands through the courtesy of the Hon. 

 Thomas Greenway, Minister of the Department, that the Russian Thistle was first 

 noticed five years ago on a farm occupied by one Peter Rhimer ; but it was not till 

 three years ago that it spread far over the district. Under instructions from the Hon. 

 Thomas Greenway, Mr. Leith has made a very thorough search through those districts 

 of Manitoba, wheiv it was thought that the weed was likely to occur, and has explained 

 to the settlers the danger of neglecting this enemy. He has also, by order of the Pro- 

 vincial Government, taken such steps as were possible to bring about its extermination. 

 The weed was found in surprising quantities in some localities, as around Morden, where 

 " it was so thick and dense that the crop was entirely choked out. On a piece of land 

 of about five acres, a farmer, Abram Wiebe, cut with a mower and raked up over 90 

 cocks as large as good sized hay cocks which after drying out, he burnt. " Mr. Leith 

 went through the Mennonite reserve and found the pest all through the country in a 

 greater or less degree. The way it was scattered seemed to indicate more that it had 



Fig. 



Russian 



Thistle 

 plant. 



branch 



mature 



