30 



early as 1672 aud has bad many years to become accustomed to 

 the climate, and yet it is to-day, although widely distributed, a 

 very rare plant in our State. On the other hand purslane and 

 shepherd's-purse are probably more abundant than at any time 

 since their introduction. There are certain other plants, such, for 

 example, as the Geranium moUe, a specie of comparatively recent 

 introduction, which I have observed thriving quite abundantly for 

 a few years on lawns, when all of a sudden it would disappear. In 

 fact, we have observed this same tendency among many recently 

 introduced plants. 



So far as our observations go it appears to be the species which 

 show a slow and sturdy growth that threatens to become our worst 

 weeds. An instance of this may be seen in the white daisy. This 

 is said to have been introduced in Rhode Island about eighty years 

 ago for the purpose of horse feed, and another report stated that 

 it was in Massachusetts in 1783 or one hundred and fourteen years 

 ago. To-day on account of its gradual increase it is one of the 

 most conspicuous plants in our neglected grass lands. 



The yellow daisy {Rudheckki liirta), which has never become 

 so abundant and from present appearances it would seem likely 

 not to be, was introduced forty or fifty years ago. Ribwort 

 (Plantago lanceolata), was not found by Professor Hitchcock in 

 1829, yet at the present time it is common enough. Tiie fall 

 dandelion {Leontodon auhi7nnalis) , quite common now, was only 

 seen once by Professor Tuckerman of Amherst previous to 1875 ; 

 and the same held true for such plants as lucern [Medicago sn'iva), 

 sweet alyssum (Alyssum calycinum) and bladder campion {Silene 

 ivjlatd) . In fact, there are many plants growing in Hampshire 

 County which are not mentioned in Tuckerman's catalogue, which 

 was carefully prepared and represented a remarkably full list of 

 all naturalized and adventive species. Some of these have also, 

 in other sections of the State, become decidedly common. 



Methods by which Weeds are disseminated. 

 There are many methods by which weeds are disseminated. 

 Besides the natural method, which includes the various methods 

 of propagation characteristic of the plants, there are many artificial 

 methods, dependent very largely upon human agencies. Besides 

 being dependent upon seeds, there are many plants, including 

 some of the weeds as well, which propagate themselves by means 

 of root-stalks or underground stems, runners and running roots. 

 Examples of propagation by root-stalks or rhizomes are furnished 

 by the flag-root, blue iris and some ferns ; while in the weeds 

 we find a good example in the couch-grass. Plants which possess 



