20 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Burdock, equally common and the sport of children, comes from the 

 same source. Succory or Cicory has established itself thoroughly around 

 Boston. This is the same plant cultivated abroad for the "Chicory," which 

 is used to adulterate coffee ; the root being used after roasting and grind- 

 ing. Here it is only known for its beautiful starry blue flowers. The 

 False Dandelion has completely established itself in our grass lands, and 

 sends up its branching flower-stem in autumn, covering our parterres with 

 its yellow blossoms. Many unquestionably think it a late blossoming of 

 the tiue Dandelion, which is quite a different plant. Other worthless 

 visitors are the Low Thistles, Mullein, Toad Flax, Blue Verbena, Jfhite 

 Verbena, Motherwort, Bindweed, JVight shade, Thorn Apple, all of the Pig- 

 weeds, all of the Amaranths, Smart Weed, Bitter and Curled Dock, and 

 Field Sorrel, and JVettle. 



It will be noticed that in the above enumeration are comprised most of 

 the troublesome weeds which infest our grounds. It is somewhat singular 

 that the agriculturist should have to thank other regions of the globe for 

 the most valuable as well as the most vexatious plants which grow under 

 his eye. Some of the plants enumerated have become so completely nat- 

 uralized as to make it difficult, without sufficient data, to affirm their foreign 

 origin. 



There are some curious points in regard to this naturalization. Many of 

 the commonest of European weeds have never taken possession here, while 

 others have multiplied prodigiously. Of the many European violets, only 

 one, the Viola tricolor, haSj established itself, and that sparingly. As we 

 have numerous species of violets ourselves this seems the more strange. 

 Out of 132 species of Carex or Sedge, only one is foreign, and that only in 

 one small locality. As Sedges must inevitably be cut with grass in the 

 season of haying, it is singular that the foreign species should not have 

 been brought here with grass seed. The laws which govern the growth of 

 plants in different localities are obscure in their workings. We find in- 

 dividual species establishing themselves everywhere, while other closely 

 allied species refuse to be transplanted. Some garden plants defy the 

 care and attention of the florist, while others overrun the garden wall and 

 take full possession of the neighboring farmer's field, destroying his harvests 

 as they move. 



This article might be much more extended. The object has been to 

 show that topics of interest are to be found directly about us, even in the 

 occurrence of road-side weeds. The far-seeing and comprehensive mind 

 finds everywhere about it some link in the great chain which binds together 

 in one perfect whole the entire creation. The ignoble weed and the hot- 

 house pet have alike their points of interest ; and neither beauty nor use- 

 ulness to man can be the only qualification for study or attention in the 

 eye of the true botanist. 



