THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



nothing else does, it is more an objectionable than a strictly injurious weed. 

 It does not grow nearly so freely and vigorously in ordinary years in Western 

 Australia as it does in South Australia, where summer rains are much more 

 common. In our agricultural areas only an average of about 10 per cent, of 

 the rain falls in the five summer months. During the last three summers we 

 have had a bigger proportion of summer rain, and the iniluence on Stinkwort 

 has been very marked. It therefore seems probable that in portions of New: 

 South Wales Stinkwort will be found more troublesome than it is in South 

 Australia. The secret of treatment against Stinkwort is for every farmer in a 

 district to keep it down when it first appears. As the seeds blow so freely, if 

 one man neglects it he may seed the whole of his neighbourhood. 



In the 1894 report, page 60, of thu firm of Merck, of Darmstadt, we find 

 "Extractum Inulce graveolentis spir. spiss." In other words, dried 

 alcoholic extract of Stinkwort. It is prepared from the leaves, freed from 

 essential oil. The report goes on to say : "It was known to the ancient 

 Greeks, and has long been used for colic dysuria, and amenorrhoea. In 

 Australia it has been used as an anti-asthmatic. The plant, or rather the 

 extract obtained from it, has lately become more interesting, as M. Men- 

 delsohn (Deutsch. med. Wochenschr., 1891, No. 30) produced with it 

 paralysis of respiration and the locomotor apparatus in animals of various^ 

 species. Closer investigations proved that in symptoms of paralysis two* 

 different substances are concerned, of which one convulses the front 

 extremities, whilst the other produces paralysis of the hind extremities,. 

 which latter eventually predominates in the general effect. These results- 

 of investigations might lead to practical application of the remedy." 



But do not let these investigations incline the farmer to look upon> 

 Stinkwort with a more tender eye., for even if a very large demand (which. 

 is exceedingly unlikely) were to spring up for this drug, it could be- 

 readily satisfied from its native home on the shores of the Mediterranean. 



In the Garden and Field for July, 1894, it was pointed out that in 

 Europe the dried plant is used for smoking bacon and hams. One gentle- 

 man in South Australia tried the experiment, and reported it to be a. 

 success. 



Elecampane (Inula Helenium) is a very close and well-known relation- 

 of the Stinkwort. 



A decoction of the root of the Elecampane was said by Dr. Withering 

 many years ago to have cured sheep affected by scab. Elecampane was at 

 one time largely used in medicine, but now its use is chiefly restricted 

 to veterinary medicine. 



How to get rid of it. In discussing methods of eradication of Stink- 

 wort (Garden and Field, April, 1894), it was agreed that vigorous. 

 measures should be used by everyone who had an interest in keeping the 

 land clear, as those who had no experience of Stinkwort did not realise- 

 the immense loss which would accrue through allowing it to get beyond 

 control. One gentleman intended to plough it under before it flowered. 

 Another speaker thought such a course would be very dangerous, as 

 ploughing would not destroy it indeed, stirring the land, he was afraid, 

 would only increase its vigour. He was hoeing it, and found it effectual,. 

 although it might require several years' hoeing to thoroughly eradicate it. 

 He believed that hoeing before the plant flowered, as well as pulling up, 

 which was better still, though more troublesome, was the only effective 

 means of dealing with the pest. 



