THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 447 



COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' DEPARTMENT. 

 CONIUM MACULATUM. 



By J. B. Hickman, Horticultural Commissioner, Monterey County. 



Tlie "hemlock" of history and also called by such names as wild 

 parsnip, wild carrot, etc., locally in different places, is certainly 

 l)oisonous in all parts, though in varying degrees at different periods 

 of growth. 



It grows luxuriantly along stream banks throughout the coast sec- 

 tions and in neglected lots and fence corners in every city in the state. 

 For lack of other materials it is frequently used for greens in bouquets 

 and tolerated everywhere from pure ignorance. 



According to a circular issued by the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, it claimed as victims an average of four children per 

 year in Philadelphia, and it is more than probable that other cases 

 of mysterious deaths among human beings and animals were caused 

 by this plant. 



A somewhat recent circular from the TTiiited States Department of 

 Agriculture inclines to the belief that the plant's poisonous properties 

 reside in its root stalk. "While this may be true, in cases under 

 observation the author has definite statements of at least six recent 

 cases with fatal results to pigs, goats and calves, and one of poisoning 

 among horses (which, however, recovered) and all were poisoned by 

 eating the young second growth of the plant's leaves. 



Usually symptoms of poisoning by this plant are so obscure that 

 the patient is past help before serious danger is suspected. 



The plant is a biennial and, cutting before seeding means a clean-up 

 in two or three seasons. It is needless to say that Conium macnlatum 

 should be eradicated. 



REVISION IN THE LIST OF COUNTY HORTICULTURAL 



COMMISSIONERS. 



Since the publication of the list of county horticultural commission- 

 ers, their deputies and inspectors, in the March Monthly Bulletin of 

 this year, the following changes have been made in the staff of com- 

 mi.ssioners : 



Humboldt County. 



Commissioner J. F. Benton, Areata 



Marin County. 



Commissioner Thos. P. Redmayne, San Rafael 



San Luis Obispo County. 

 Commissioner S. V. Christierson, San Luis Obispo 



Yolo County. 

 Commissioner William Gould, Woodland 



