30 THK AMERICAN BOTAXIST 



to Irnow SO much that aint so" is siippHcd by Mahonia rcpcus 

 vvhicli, because of its alHance with the barberries, was ostra- 

 cised, some years ago, when certain young scientists were 

 making a reputation by making war on the barberries. In 

 some sections the common barberry (Bcrberis vulgaris) is a 

 well-known carrier of one stage of a rust that is very destruc- 

 tive to wheat. In consequence it was decided to eradicate all 

 barberries, whether in city or country. Mahonia repens, often 

 called Bcrberis repens. naturally fell under the ban but the 

 Federal Horticultural Board has now graciously permitted it 

 to live and has pronounced it not guilty of harboring the rust. 

 The unfortunate part of the affair is that this belated rein- 

 statement will not bring back the plants dug up in a patriotic 

 effort to help the Government stamp out a plant parasite that 

 does not require the barberry in is young life but nevertheless 

 lives on it w^hen it gets the chance. 



Marsh Ei.der and Sunflowers. — I want to supplement 

 my statements about Iz'a Xanthifolia. Never anywhere have 

 I seen any weed spread and develop as this one has in Po- 

 catello. Three years ago it could hardly be found and the 

 few individuals that were hidden in out of the wav nooks 

 were so small and stunted as to be hardly recognizable. 

 Last summer it was everywhere, especially abundant along 

 the sidewalks and curbings of the vcant ^)ts in the business 

 district. While the great majority of the plants were still 

 far below the height of this plant in the mddle w^est, here 

 and there one more lusty than its fellows, attained a height 

 of five or six feet with large and heavy panicle that promises 

 much for the future possession of the land. Where this weed 

 growls abundantly Russian thistle and our native saltbush oc- 

 cur very sparingly but it will require further observation to 

 determine whether it is supplanting them or only occupying 



