94 



Notes Concerning Other Noxious Weeds. 



Corn Spurry, (Spergula arvensis, L). This is an annual with 

 small white flowers, and is related to the chickweeds. It grows from- 

 7 to 12 inches in height. The needle-like leaves are in whorls at the- 

 joints of the stem, and the plant is covered with clammy hairs. Ifc 

 grows mainly on sandy soil. Its effect is to smother the crop. It 

 seeds very profusely. 



Treatment Frequent stirring of the soil to make the seeds- 

 sprout, and frequent harrowing to destroy the seedlings. 



Tumble Weed, or White Pigweed, (ATuarantus albus). This- 

 plant resembles Russian Thistle quite closely, but can be distinguished 

 from it by its round, shiny, jet-black seeds, and by its leaves, which, 

 although small, have a definite blade. It is a low branched annual 

 when growing in sandy, open fields and roadsides. 



Treattaent. Prevent the maturing of the seeds which ripen ia 

 August. The plants as a rule are conspicuous, and may be readily 

 collected and burned. The seeds are often found in grass-seed ' 

 mixtures. 



Lady's Thumb, or Smartweed, (Polygonum Persicaria). This 

 plant grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches. Its leaves are lance-shaped,, 

 usually with a blotch near the centre. It is an annual, and is often 

 abundant. 



Treatment. Prevent from seeding, and sow clean seeds. 



Toad Flax, or Butter and Eggs, (Linaria vulgaris. L). This is a 

 perennial which has escaped from cultivation as an ornamental, and 

 become a decided pest. It grows in tufts, and has bright, yellow, 

 spurred flowers. It flowers from July to October, and seeds from 

 August to November. It propagates itself by root-stocks, and by 

 seeds in grass seed. It is found chiefly in meadows and roadsides. 



Treatment. Continuous cultivation will subdue it, but care 

 must be taken not to spread the root-stocks. Coal-oil, salt, etc., are 

 effective after hoeing. 



Wild Barley, or Squirrel-Tail Grass, {Hordeum jubatum). This- 

 pest is a native of the western prairies, but is invading the western 

 parts of the Province. It has a dense head, like that of barley, and 

 grows to a height of 12 inches or more. It is quite a serious pest in 

 Manitoulin Island and the districts farther west. Ic should be 

 gathered and burned w^herever found. 



Wild Tares, or Perennial Vetch, (Vicia cracca, L.). This is a 

 perennial plant, with a deep system of root-stocks. It is often re- 

 ported difficult of eradication. The flowers are blue, and there are 

 10 to 12 pairs of leaflets to each compound leaf. This plant appears to 

 persist most tenaciously in damp soil. The same cultivation which is 

 used in controllincr the Canada and Perennial Sow Thistles will sub- 

 due the Perennial Vetch. 



