130 THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



The " filamentous material " (fibre) which formed the subject of his paper 

 was the hairs of the seeds. He adds : 



" I have been informed by a hatter in Melbourne that it would form very 

 good material for the manufacture of felt hats, and I believe it could also 

 be converted into textile fabrics and paper. The fibre is short in staple, 

 but curly, fine, and exceedingly tough." 



Specimens were sent to the London Exhibition of 1862, but it did not 

 appeal to manufacturers. 



Experience in New South Wales. I do not know when it first came to 

 New South Wales, but it certainly did not get a firm hold until long after 

 it had done so in the southern States. 



Mr. Turner has figured and given an account of the weed in the Agricul- 

 tural Gazette for 1891, p. 505. He quotes south-western localities and Wil- 

 cannia (in both cases probably coming from South Australia or Victoria). 



I published the following notes concerning it in the Agricultural Gazette 

 for 1895 : 



Was introduced from Milton about five years since by horses, and is one of 

 the most troublesome to keep in check. It is spreading rapidly in both culti- 

 vated and uncultivated lands. In order to keep it in check it is sometimes cut 

 down. ( Sassafras. ) 



Supposed to have been introduced in packing in cases of goods. It thrives in 

 almost any position. Spreads rapidly, chokes pastures, and is a prolific seeder. 

 No attempt has been made to eradicate it. (Bombala.) 



Will thrive almost anywhere, no matter how poor or dry the soil. Wherever 

 allowed to grow any length of time it will crowd out native pasture grasses. 

 Although it imparts a bitter taste to milk and butter, it is a fodder plant by 

 no means to be despised. It certainly makes its appearance in spring when the 

 young grasses are abundant, but it lasts into the middle of summer, and being 

 of a succulent nature, allays the thirst of cattle. In the dry season it is 

 regarded by some settlers as a boon. In lands under cultivation it is kept in 

 check by ploughing and hoeing. (Moama.) 



As a rule, grows among wheat, barley, and other cereals. Crowds out 

 valuable fodder plants. (Hillston.) 



Made its first appearance in 1884, when seed was introduced in sheep's wool, 

 and is now spreading with great rapidity. In cultivated lands the farmers do 

 their utmost to keep it in check, but in uncultivated lands no steps have been 

 taken for its eradication. (Orange.) 



" This has made its appearance in the neighbourhood of Nowra, where it 

 has created a small scare. It is one of those plants which will spread through- 

 out the colony unless eradicated on its first appearance in fresh localities." 

 (Agricultural Gazette for 1897, p. 81.) 



Since then the weed has spread by leaps and bounds. During the drought 

 of 1902, when dirty chaff from all over the Commonwealth and from many 

 places beyond, came into New South Wales, weeds spread as they had not 

 done for years. At that time several correspondents stated it had not pre- 

 viously been seen in New England, but there is plenty there now. Its 

 course seems to have been from south to north, and pretty well the whole 

 State is covered now. 



It belongs to the Daisy Eamily, reputed to be a non-poisonous family, but 

 the seeds are covered with fibre and they are licked up by grazing animals, 

 and may form hair-balls (phyto-bezoars) in their stomachs, which may even 

 cause death. 



It has some food value, though sometimes it is so succulent that hungry 

 animals may gorge themselves on it and become blown. 



