30 Transactions of the State Jgricultural Society. [July, 



permits access of air, neither the plow, hoe, fire or salt will destroy 

 the thistle; here the grasses should be applied, and will be found 

 the best destroyers. 



Mowing will destroy those parts of the thistle which have 

 thrown up flowering stalks; and will not in the least afiect 

 those which have not. Mowing should take place when the plant 

 is in bloom. 



Whatever limits the thorough application of the means of de- 

 struction, will proportionally diminish success. Hence it will be 

 found difficult in very stony grounds ever to eradicate the thistle; 

 the plow cannot effectually reach its roots, and such ground is 

 rarely a good grass bearer. Salt and sheep, with the scythe, will 

 be found best lor stony grounds. In grounds filled with stumps, 

 where the soil is rich and will grow a dense sod, the grasses will 

 be best, and in such the plow should not be used, as it will not ef- 

 fectually reach all the roots. Fences that obstruct the application 

 of the plow or hoe, should be removed. 



If it is desirable to destroy the thistle by the grasses, it will be 

 found best to make the land rich by manure. This will force the 

 grass, and enable it more readily by vigorous growth, to kill the 

 plant. And in the application of all remedies, care should be ta- 

 ken to reduce the soil by proper cultivation, to a fine tilth, that all 

 the seeds of the thistle in the ground may germinate, and not lie 

 dormant. The seed is very hardy, and escapes all the ordinary 

 means of reaching the plant, except fire. 



Precautionary Advice. — In regions infested with the Canada 

 thistle, when new lands are to be cleared, let the under brush and 

 rubbish be cleared out and the ground sown to grass. When the 

 grass has well taken root and a sod is formed, the trees may be 

 cleared off and the thistle will not appear. 



When the thistle first appears, attack it at once; it may then 

 be easily destroyed. If neglected it will become a formidable 

 enemy, and time and patience and much labor will be required to 

 subdue it. 



Conclusion. — If this essay shall induce even one farmer to at- 

 tempt the eradication of the thistle, a good will be done by it; if 

 it direct attention to the subject and stimulate to action, the object 

 of the writer will be attained." 



In this connection we would by no means pass over the experi- 

 ments of Mr. Sereno E. Todd, of Tompkins county. Mr. T. makes 

 the following very judicious observations, which, though contrary 

 to the views we have entertained, yet appear to be founded in 

 reason and sustained by experiment, p. 431: 



" Whenever Canada thistles have taken possession of land which 

 I do not wish to plow at present, or on land which is filled with 

 .solid stumps, roots and stones, which cannot all he plowed up deep, 



