346 



Canada Thistle. — Early Rising. 



Vol. IV. 



on his breast for an instant, and then raising 

 his head in an erect posture, he observed in 

 a very emphatic manner, "a very good prin- 

 ciple, Mr. Shoemaker, and I can carry it as 

 far as you can : let the account for the coopers' 

 shop be allowed." Thus ended the difficulty, 

 and the parties continued their friendly re- 

 gard for each other till death separated them ; 

 and the cultivation of a similar disposition 

 to " follow peace with all men," would ter- 

 minate thousands of difficulties every year, 

 and add much to the happiness of individuals, 

 and tend to promote the general harmony and 

 order of society. C. 



Montgomery County, April, 1840. 



Read before the Philadelphia Society, April 1, 1840. 



Canada Thistle. 

 This agricultural pest has become so ex- 

 tensively spread on farms in the neighbour- 

 hood of Philadelphia, by the incautious use 

 of Timothy seed procured from the northern 

 part of the state of New York, that sufficient 

 alarm is no doubt excited to call the attention 

 of farmers to a more judicious selection of 

 the seeds they propose sowing. Although 

 much has already been written, and many 

 modes have been suggested for the accom- 

 plishment of that purpose, yet, having had 

 an opportunity of becoming acquainted with 

 its habits, powers of propagation, and tena- 

 city of life, it may not be improper to offer 

 a few hints in addition to what has been 

 proposed by others on that subject. 



Canada Thistle propagates both from the 

 seed and by the roots. The propagation by 

 seed may be easily prevented by proper at- 

 tention during the season for vegetation, in 

 keeping the tops cut, so as to prevent them 

 from perfecting seed; but to prevent the 

 propagation by the root, and their destruction, 

 is not, however, so readily accomplished. 

 That part of the root to which the tops or 

 stalk is immediately connected, about five or 

 six inches in length, usually descends nearly 

 perpendicularly into the earth, the whole of 

 which appears to be annual, and consequently 

 destroyed by every winter's frost. At the 

 depth, however, of five or six inches below 

 the surface the perpendicular root is attached 

 to a perennial horizontal root, which frequent- 

 ly extends many feet in different directions, 

 keeping about the same depth, wliich is fur- 

 nished with numerous eyes or buds, each of 

 which is capable of producing distinct slioots 

 or tops, that will produce seed, and if cut 

 into as many pieces as there are eyes, each 

 will vegetate. A knowledge of the fore- 

 going facts naturally leads to the following 

 conclusion : that the propagation by the roots 

 can be prevented, and their total destruction 

 effected, by completely inclosing the spot 



infested by an intrenchment of sufficient 

 depth and breadth to prevent the passage of 

 the horizontal roots, and by ploughing or 

 digging to such depth as to lacerate and tear 

 them to pieces, and turning them up to the 

 surface, exposed to the influences of the sun 

 and atmosphere; by preventing and destroy- 

 ing all top vegetation, the whole must neces- 

 sarily soon perish. 



Much confidence has been placed in the 

 efficacy of lime in the destruction of the 

 Canada Thistle. It is to be feared, however, 

 that it would not prove successful, for it has 

 frequently been seen growing up vigorously 

 through a covering of six inches of fresh 

 burnt lime, slacked on the spot. 



Common salt has also been considered as 

 infallible, and probably it is entitled to more 

 confidence than the lime. Being soluble in 

 water, it is absorbed by the earth, and de- 

 scends until it reaches the horizontal roots, 

 where, if in sufficient quantity, it will de- 

 stroy the germ of vegetation, not only of the 

 Canada Thistle, but that of all other plants. 

 Agricola, Jr. 



From the New England Palladium. 

 £arly Rising. 



'Tis .sweet to rise at early morning's dawn, 

 And breathe the balmy air which passes by; 



While glittering dew drops gem the grassy lawn, 

 In mimic radiance of an evening sky. 



Beautiful morn ! fair harbinger of sweets ! 



Ushered by orient beams and warbling songs ; 

 Thy grateful light, the lark (shrill minstrel) greets, 



And echo on the hills the theme prolongs. 



'Tis sweet to hear the music, soft, and low. 

 Which morning zephyrs whisper to the trees ; 



'Tis sweet to see meandering streamlets flow. 

 Exhaling tribute to the early breeze. 



Tlien the rapt soul throws off the thralling chain. 

 Which binds her soaring pinions down to earth; 



And wings her mental flight to Heaven's domain. 

 And gives her native energies new birth. 



Morning! there's music in the heavenly name; 



Then rise and greet her charms, and Mwn her power 

 Rise, sons of ease ! and catch the holy flame. 



Which nature kindles at that glorious hour. 



Rise, and behold the verdant, fertile plain 

 Inhale the fragrance of the morn's pure air; 



Behold the bending vines, and golden grain. 

 And breathe to nature's God a grateful prayer. 



Tn the choice of water, always select that 

 which is softest; for hard water, as it is 

 called, is always rendered so by its im- 

 purities. Any substance will soften and 

 cook sooner, and with less fuel, in soft 

 water, than when hard water is used ; and 

 the essence will be more quickly and tho- 

 roughly extracted by the former, than by 

 the latter, as is observed in making tea or 

 coffee. 



