HOW WE ED 8 CAUSE LOSSES 



527 



or they may be actually poisonous, as the loco weed of the 

 western prairies and the laurel of the Southeastern states. 



693. Weeds Injure Animal Products. Another way in 

 which weeds injure the farmer is by causing a loss in the value 

 of certain animal products. The seeds of such weeds as 

 burdock, stickseed and cockle bur adhere to wool and reduce 

 its value materially. 



They also injure the 

 appearance of animals 

 by clinging to the 

 manes and tails of 

 horses and the tails of 

 cattle. Other weeds, 

 when eaten by dairy 

 cows, cause a disagree- 

 able odor or taste in 

 their products. This 

 class of weeds includes 

 the wild onion, rag- 

 weed, and French- 

 weed. 



694. Weeds Reduce 

 the Value of Land. The 

 presence of noxious 

 weeds on a farm re- 

 duces its value and 



lessens the chances of a profitable sale. A farm infested 

 with Canada thistles, quack grass, or Johnson grass can 

 not be sold as readily nor at as high a price as one which 

 is free from these weeds. Weeds along fences and roads 

 are not pleasing in appearance, and thus lessen the attrac- 

 tiveness of a farm. 



Fig. 158. Ragweed. 



