WEEDS OF SPECIAL CROPS 55 



beings as well as of cattle have been reported in the 

 United States. In the West there are several other kinds 

 which are common, like the western cowbane (C. va- 

 gans). 



Squirrel-tail grass (Hordeum jubatum) has long been 

 a troublesome pest in many parts of the West, especially 

 in Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah. It 

 is one of our worst meadow weeds. Though originally 

 a native of the sandy seashores from Nova Scotia to 

 Maryland, and the upper great lakes, it has spread from 

 the lakes to adjoining prairie country and is now trouble- 

 some in both pastures and meadows. In the former, it 

 may be removed by cutting the plant before it is mature. 

 It frequently causes* injuries to cattle that may result in 

 death. Broom sedge (Andropogon virginicus) is a most 

 troublesome weed in meadows from southern Missouri, 

 southeast to Virginia. 



Sweet clover (Melilotus alba), one of the most common 

 weeds of pastures, is regarded by bee keepers as a valua- 

 ble honey plant ; but in the North is little esteemed as a 

 forage plant. In the South it is valuable for reclaiming 

 waste land, as it grows not only on rich land, but will 

 thrive in the poorest soil. Professors Tracy and Goff 

 both recommend it as a soil renovator. Although occa- 

 sionally useful in Iowa as a bee plant, a soil renovator, 

 and a forage plant, we must nevertheless regard it as a 

 weed. 



A few members of the mustard family are troublesome 

 in the pastures and meadows of Iowa. Among these are 

 pepper grass Lepidium apetalum and L. virginicum 

 the former of which is abundant, especially in timothy 

 seed. Its brown color enables it to be easily detected. 



The wild carrot (Daucus Carota) is common in the East 

 in some clover meadows, having been introduced largely 

 with clover seed. 



The bracted plantain looks much like buckhorn, but has 



