198 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



A.H. 



the first year and aerial stems the second year. The plant appears to 

 die at the end of the second summer ; but it only dies down to the hori- 

 zontal subterranean stem. The numerous branches sent up from the rhi- 

 zoma, soon cover the ground with the prickly radical leaves of the plant ; 

 and thus prevent cattle from feeding 1 where they are. Nothing short of 

 destroying the perennial portion of the plant will rid the ground of this 

 pest ; and this, I believe, has been accomplished by a few years of con- 

 tinued culture (or annual cropping of other plants, that requiVe frequent 

 ploughing, or dressing with the hoe,) so as to prevent the development 



FIG. 134. The Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), reduced. 



