Teacher's Leaflet. 



II2I 



to allow them to establish their roots in the soil or to mature and 

 scatter their plumed seed on its surface. Penalties are also provided 

 for seedsmen who sell grass or clover seed that is contaminated by 

 their presence — but the thistles march on and bid defiance in every 

 prickle to such attempts at their extermination. The laws are very 

 good but they lack strenuous enforcement. Perhaps if the boys and 

 girls, who are to be the farmers of the future, can be taught to realize 

 how great an aggregate loss in actual dollars and cents is caused by 

 allowing one of these savage in- 

 terlopers to occupy the ground ' 

 and suck up the food and mois- 

 ture which should be nourishing 

 a half-dozen blades of grass or 

 ears of wheat, the need for such 

 laws would be less evident. 



Lesson VI 



THE PLANT 



Purpose. — To familiarize the 

 pupils with the appearance and 

 habit of growth of these perni- 

 cious weeds, with a view to their 

 extermination. 



Material. — An entire- plant of 

 each of the species named, for 

 examination of root, leaf and 

 flower. They may be collected 

 without injury to the hands if 

 it is remembered that the stalks 

 are usually free from spines for 



a few inches above the root and can there be firmly grasped. When the 

 ground is moist, a vigorous pull will remove the entire root of the 

 Common Thistle, but only careful and patient digging will uncover the 

 creeping and wide-reaching roots of the Canada Thistle. 



1 lie 



MHced-leaved Thistle. 



Observations by Pupils: 



(i). Where did you find the thistles growing? 

 (2). Do you often find more than one kind growing in company? 

 (3). Did you find any of the Common or Lance-leaved Thistle grow- 

 ing in soil which had been cultivated this season? 



(4). Describe the difference in the roots of the two species. 

 36 



