WEEDS ON THE FARM. 



Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis Linn.). 



This plant is often confused with the Thorn Apple, as stated above, l>ut it 

 is much larger and lias smaller seeds than thai plant. 



Ir is proclaimed in the following shires and municipalities: — 



Cockspur or Saucy Jack (Centaurea melitensis Linn.). 



A so-called thistle with yellow flowers ; it is also known as Burr, Yellow 

 burr, and Chinese burr. The flower -head is surrounded with prickly 

 involucral bracts. The leaves are hoary and even slightly silky. The edges 

 of the leaves are wavy. It will be observed that they clasp and run down 



the stem. 



Cockspur inhabits both cultivated and uncultivated land to the detriment 

 of crops and the exclusion of better and more useful plants. It has a bitter 

 taste, and stock will not eat it it' other food is available. Being an annual 

 it is best controlled by destruction before the seed matures. 



Tt is frequently confused with other star thistles, and is a prescribed weed 

 in the following Local Government areas : — 



Blackberry (Rubus fwiticosis). 



Blackberry vines are most difficult to eradicate, especially as merely cutting 

 down occasionally tends to strengthen the root growth, and ultimately to 

 increase the trouble. 



"Where the pest is confined to a small area intended for constant cultiva- 

 tion, trenching to a depth of 18 inches to 2 feet, and removing all growth to 

 that depth, is the surest way, though laborious. Every part— roots, butts, 

 and vines — should be burnt. 



