10 July, 1917] Weeds. 433 



on account of the seeds having a supposed resemblance to tlie head of 

 the viper. It is rather au extensive, and certainly a pretty, genus, 70 

 si>ecies having been described. Paterson's Curse is easily recognised 

 by its dark blue flowers; it is a coarse-growing plant and snicthers 

 the grass. At present it is fairly plentiful in the uorth-easteni parts 

 of Victoria, and is getting well established on the railway line l)€tween 

 Evertcn and Bright. It is rather a diflicult plant to \>n\\ up on account 

 of its strong; grip of the soil, and its flower stem is very i-ough and hairy, 

 necessitating the use of gloves if much has to be pulled. Pulling it 

 before flowering followed by salt dressings is Ijest treatment on land 

 that cannot be cultivated. Close feeding by sheep is useful when 

 plants are young. 



Sti.s'kwgrt {Inula i/raveoleus). — This plant is spreading rapidly, 

 esjiecially in the northern part of Victoria, w-here it has become firmly 

 established, and the seed also is being distributed by means of water 

 in the irrigation settlements. The plant is an annual, and wculd not be 

 diflRcult to deal with if it was not such a sturdy grower and so prolific 

 a seed-bearer of feathery type. On grazing, waste lands, reserves, and 

 roads this weed should be pulled or hoed out to prevent seeding, other- 

 wise the enormcus amount of seed produced in these situations is 

 sufficient to smother all the land in the district. Where ploughing is 

 j>ossible this sliould be carried out. Heavy stocking with sheep will 

 destroy the plant when young. 



Bracken (I'terU uqiulina). — In some parts of the State this feru is 

 becoming a very serious pest, especially so on land 'that previously 

 carried heavy timber which has since been cleared off. The land being 

 unsuitable for cultivation, on account of its steepness, the rhizomes 

 cannot be destroyed. Land that carried good grass a few years ago 

 is now densely covered with bracken ferns to such au extent that the 

 grass is rapidly deteriorating and its stock-carrying capacity is fast 

 dwindling away, and it will not be long before mucli of the hilly country 

 is entirely covered by this fern. The best method of dealing with this 

 pest cu land that cannot be cultivated is by means of cutting and 

 salting. The reason why the former method often gives such poor 

 results is because the ferns are- cut too early or too late. The best results 

 from cutting are obtained if done just previous to the ferns sporing ; 

 they should be cut down clcse to the ground.. Two cuttings a year will 

 be necessary, and the second year's cuttings generally destroys most of 

 the ferns. Salt applications are very effective when applied immediately 

 after the cutting. 



Bathurst Burr {Xtuithium fpinosiim) is a native of Europe, Asia, 

 and Africa. This plant should be hoed out when young, and not 

 allowed to seed. Unfortunately it is common on road-sides, and 

 wandering stock carry its seeds in their coats, thus spreading it on to 

 land previousl}' free from it. 



Onion Grass {Rnmulea cruciata) is an introduction from Africa. 

 This is a most difficult plant to eradicate, more especially as it delights 

 i;i hard, closely-compacted soils. Cultivation does not suppress this plant 

 so easily as is often thought, on account of the great vitality of its corms. 

 Deep ploughing does not suppress it, as the corms send up leaves to the 

 surface from considerable depths. The best methods of eradication 

 appear to be by improving the humic content of the soil and keeping 

 same as loose as possible. 



