No. 4.] MASSACHUSETTS WEEDS. 273 



laud to Salem in 1628 hy Governor Endicott for the purpose 

 of dyeing, and now it covers hundreds of acres in that 

 vicinity. 



Distribution of Weeds in Massachusetts. 



The condition of the soil, climate and the nature and ex- 

 tent of the industries in Massachusetts are sufficient to exert 

 quite an influence on the distribution of weeds. 



The percentage of sand and chlorine in the soil is greater 

 in the eastern part of the State than in the western, and the 

 elevation is much less marked in the eastern. Then again 

 the population and the variety and extent of industries are 

 considerably greater in the eastern than in the western part 

 of Massachusetts. These diflerences in the conditions are 

 sufiicient cause for variations in the weed flora. There are 

 many troublesome plants along the coast which are rarely 

 seen in the central or western part of Massachusetts, although 

 the Connecticut valley region furnishes conditions — with the 

 exception of the percentage of chlorine — not dissimilar to 

 those near the coast. In general, we can say that the varie- 

 ties of weeds increase as w^e approach the sea-board. There 

 are many plants, some of which have been introduced for 

 years, that are seldom seen inland. The conditions of soil 

 and climate appear to be uncongenial for their growth. 



The woad waxen (Genista iincioria), common enough near 

 Salem, is seldom found inland, and the same holds good for 

 the barberry and privet, which grow so abundantly near the 

 coast and which have probably been introduced for two hun- 

 dred years. 



The cocklebur (Xantkium strumarium) and chess (Bromus 

 tectorum) abound in the waste places near Boston. The 

 cocklebur is found inland at times, but the latter plant sel- 

 dom. Many other weeds might be mentioned which are 

 more abundant in the eastern part of Massachusetts. 



