AGEICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 187 



KIB GRASS, OR ENGLISH PLANTAIN. 

 Plantago lanceolata, L. 



This weed belongs to the Order Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family) 

 and may be known by the following description : 



Root living from year to year ; stem grooved, angular, nine 

 inches to two feet high ; leaves hairy, narrow, three to five ribbed 

 and in a cluster at the root. The flowers smaU, whitish, borne in 

 a thick short spike at the end of the long flower scape. The pod 

 opens at the top by means of a lid and aUows the two oblong boat 

 shaped seeds to escape. These seeds are smaller than clover seed 

 and may be distinguished by the brownish color, oblong shape and 

 hoUow or groove on the inner face. They look like a diminutive 

 boat. Attention is especially directed to this weed, as it is being 

 introduced into the State in clover seed. Complaints have been 

 received of fields over run with it, that were seeded to clover. 

 The seeds of the plantain being smaller and duller colored are liable 

 to escape notice, being hidden by the bright yeUow color of the 

 clover seed. Great care should be exercised by farmers in pur- 

 chasing clover seed, so as not to introduce this detestable weed. 

 We hear complaints of its occurrence in other States. Being a 

 perennial it is a hard weed to exterminate. It is hard}^ and will 

 cover the ground with a mat of leaves. Cultivation in a hoed crop 

 would be the best way to control it. 



Accompanying this Report is an envelope containing New York 

 Red Clover seed, adulterated with about ten per cent, of Rib 

 Grass seed, (Plantago lanceolata, L.) This seed was purchased 

 at a prominent seed store in Maine and was highly recommended. 

 We distribute the material that farmers may learn to distinguish 

 the seed of Rib Grass and avoid it. 



