230 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



The tubers when cooked form a good substitute for potatoes, and 

 are by some preferred. Many animals eat them with avidity, and 

 they are especially recommended for sheep. — {Penny Ency.) In 

 the Report of the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture 

 for 1866, the Jerusalem artichoke is suggested as worthy atten- 

 tion in some cases as a cheap and profitable farm crop for feeding 

 stock. The plant is frequently troublesome about old gardens, 

 where it was formerly cultivated. When once established it is 

 very difficult to eradicate, as any one of the many tubers will 

 continue the plant. 



56. Common Beggar-ticks. Bur Marigold — Biclens frondosa. 

 Hardly needs a special description. It is a disagreeable weed, 

 very common about barns and in moist, rich, cultivated grounds. 

 The flat seeds are furnished with two barbed awns, and are the 

 cause of much annoyance, for they adhere to the clothing with 

 great tenacity, and to the fleeces of sheep. The seeds are thus 

 carried from jDlace to place. B. chrysanthemoides has large bright 

 yellow rays, and is the species found common in low wet meadows 

 and ditches. As these plants are both annuals, they would soon 

 be exterminated if not allowed to go to seed. 



57. May-weed. Fetid Chamomile. Dog's Fennel — Maruta Cotula. Annnal. Stem 

 much branched, six to fifteen inches high. Leaves divided into a multitude of narrow 

 segments. Rays white, at first spreading horizontally, but finally turning back towards 

 the stem, reflexed. Disk florets yellow. 



A strong scented weed, very common in hard dry soils, by the 

 roadside, and in yards. Though very nauseous, the May-weed is 

 sometimes employed as a substitute for chamomile. Linnseus says 

 "it is grateful to toads, drives away fleas, and is annoying to 

 flies." The plant was originally introduced from Europe. Eradi- 

 cated by thorough cultivation. 



58. Common Yaruow. Milfoil. Snekzewort — Achillea Millefolium. Root creeping, 

 with smooth, reddish, subterraneous shoots, perennial Stem erect, about a foot high. 

 Leaves twice pinnatiCd, the divisions very narrow, toothed, pointed. Heads numerous, 

 small, arranged in a dense flat-topped cluster. Ra(js short, whito. Dish florets whitish. 



A thoroughly naturalized plant from Europe, having rather an 

 agreeable taste and smell. On account of its creeping roots it is 

 generally considered a " bad weed," yet it has been recommended 

 for cultivation by some English writers. Its nutritive properties 

 are, however, much inferior to tliose of some other plants, equally 

 adapted to light soil. An ointment made from the leaves of the 

 yarrow is recommended for the scab in sheep. 



