114 THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Cockspur or Saucy Jack (Centaurea melitensis L ) 

 (COMPOSITE: Thistle Family.) 



Other Vernacular Names. " Saucy Jack" is a name by which this weed 

 is very commonly known. " Burr/' " Yellow Burr," and " Chinese Burr " 

 are less common names. It does not come from China, nor am I aware that 

 the Chinese have had anything to do with its introduction or dissemina- 

 tion. Its name melitensis denotes "Maltese" (adjective), hence "Malta 

 Thistle," though I do not remember having heard it called by that name by 

 farmers. It would be simply impossible now to upset the names of " Cock- 

 spur " and " Saucy Jack.'' 



.Botanical Name. Centaurea. With an allied plant the Centaur Chiron is 

 said to have cured the wound in his foot, caused by the arrow of Hercules. 

 Melitensis,, Latin for Maltese, Malta being one of its Mediterranean 

 localities. 



What our Farmers and Pastor alists say of it. Following are some of the 

 replies relating to Cockspur sent in answer to the Department's circular 

 in 1893: 



Utterly useless. Grows as a rule in cultivated lands. No attempt has been 

 made to eradicate it. (Singleton.) 



First made its appearance about thirty-two years ago. Mostly favours culti- 

 vated land, and promises to be a most troublesome weed. It excludes valuable 

 grasses wherever it makes its appearance. Little or no attempt has been made 

 to eradicate it. ( Manilla. ) 



Flourishes and spreads in any soil, or under any condition. In some instances 

 it is kept in check by cutting down and burning. (Narrabri.) 



Is exceedingly troublesome in wheat paddocks. Many of the farmers cut it 

 down, whilst others make no attempt to keep it in check, thereby seeding their 

 adjoining neighbours' clean land. (Mudgee.) 



Found growing throughout the district. (Egliuton, Bathurst.) 



The sharp spines and bitter taste destroy the value of hay when it becomes 

 mixed with it. Frequents good alluvial lands, either cultivated or uncultivated, 

 also public roads, by which means many weeds are spread. Many farms in the 

 district are perfect seed-beds for noxious weeds. (Comobella.) 



Grows in almost any situation, though, as a rule, on the rich river flats. It 

 is spreading on uncultivated land, but kept in check on cultivated lands by 

 annually hoeing. (Pomona, Wellington.) 



Introduced from the Upper Macquarie by the waters of the river. No steps 

 have been taken for its eradication. Spreads rapidly on cultivated land and 

 rich soils, while poor grass lands are almost free from it. (Wellington.) 



Depreciates quality of forage crops, and is spreading all over the district. 

 First appeared in 1884, when seed was introduced by sheep. In cultivated 

 lands the farmers do their utmost to keep it under control, but in uncultivated 

 lands no steps have been taken for its eradication. (Orange.) 



Brought sixteen years ago into the district by travelling stock. Is very 

 troublesome in cultivated land. (Molong.) 



Will thrive in almost any soil. When mixed with hay and chaff it greatly 

 reduces the price of these fodder's, on account of the bitter taste and thorny 

 quality of the seed, which makes it a very difficult task to separate from other 

 grain. In order to keep it in check several of the farmers resort to summer 

 fallowing, and destroying the weeds with the hoe. (Neville.) 



