PREFACE 



The first edition of "Farm Weeds of Canada" was distributed free 

 to public libraries, universities, colleges, high schools, rural schools, agri- 

 cultural societies and farmers' institutes and clubs. The book was de- 

 signed to stimulate interest in the study of farm weeds in general, 

 their habits of growth and the best methods of combating them. It was 

 distributed with a view to make it conveniently available for the pur- 

 pose of reference, to all who are interested in agricultural pursuits 

 but particularly to farmers and pupils of schools in farming districts. 



The second edition has been prepared and published to meet 

 the urgent requests from individuals who desire the book for their 

 personal use. The information presented in the text is useful because 

 the illustrations of weeds and weed seeds make it intelligible to farmers 

 and others who are not expert in the nomenclature of plants. The 

 expense entailed in the preparation, printing and binding of seventy- 

 six coloured plates as contained in this volume precludes it from the 

 list of those publications of the Department of Agriculture that are 

 distributed generally and free of charge. The nominal price fixed 

 for its sale will restrict its distribution to those who will preserve and 

 make proper use of it, and will meet a part of the unusual expense 

 incurred in its issue. 



The death of Dr. James Fletcher, co-editor of the first edition, 

 caused a temporary suspension of the plans for the publication of the 

 second edition. With his co-operation and supervision, a large number 

 of water colour sketches of weeds were made by Norman Griddle, 

 while employed by the Seed Branch, during the early summer of 1908. 

 From these sketches selections were made of the illustrations of weeds 

 and weed seeds for the 20 additional plates that are included in the second 

 edition. The tentative general plans for the enlargement, botanical 

 re-arrangement and revision of text for a new edition of "Farm Weeds" 

 had been discussed with Dr. Fletcher in a general way on several 

 occasions during 1907 and the winter and early spring of 1908. It is 

 believed that the nature of the revision is in accord with the views 

 which he held and with the spirit of progressiveness that is clearly 

 evident in all his life work. 



Considerable re-arrangement of the matter was made necessary 

 in the second edition in order that the various plant families, genera 

 and species might be adjusted to conform with the recommendations 

 of the International Botanical Congress at Vienna and now generally 

 adopted by botanists. Some additions to the subject matter have 

 been made to include new and important information that has resulted 

 from recent research work. In revising the descriptions of plants and 

 seeds technical terms have been avoided whenever possible. 



The book is not intended for use as a text book of botany. Inas- 

 much as the primary object of its issue is to present information per- 



