WEEDS OF SPECIAL CROPS 57 



ous to stock in much the same way that squirrel-tail is; 

 i. e. f it gets into the mouth, producing inflammation and 

 causing severe ulceration. Squirrel-tail grass is abundant 

 where seepage water occurs, and like the brome grass 

 just mentioned causes much injury to stock. Little can 

 be done to check it as long as it isi allowed to go to seed. 



In Utah another annual brome grass, the quaking 

 brome (Bromus brizaeformis), is often seen, also several 

 species of squirrel-tail grass (Hordeum jubatum, H. 

 caespitosum), common in the East, and wild barley (H. 

 murinum). 



Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) is common on much 

 of the western country to California. Wild oatsi (Avena 

 fatua) is frequently seen. 



In most meadows of Utah there is an abundance of a 

 species of thistle (Cirsium scariosum). It is a large stocky 

 plant with very spiny, light-colored leaves and light pur- 

 ple flowers. In some places the green hellebore (Vera- 

 trum viride) is common. 



In low meadows or sandy, moist meadows, of the 

 North the common horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is 

 abundant and troublesome. In the Pacific Northwest 

 another large species is common. The common brake 

 (Pteris aquilina) is common and troublesome in the same 

 region. Both the brake and horsetails are poisonous. 



Weeds of Grain Fields: Small Grains. The kinds of 

 weeds found in small grain fields vary with the locality; 

 although some kinds are quite universal. Among these 

 are mustard, corn cockle, cowherb and vetch. Many 

 others are local. Among these may be named Russian 

 thistle, in the West; wild garlic, pennycress, mustard, 

 tumbling mustard, foxtails, crab grass, germander, 

 smartweed, lady's thumb, corn gromwell, Canada thistle 

 in the East and Canada; perennial sow thistle in Minne- 

 sota and North Dakota; ragweed, milkweed, artichoke, 



