CucuRBITACE®.—RUBIACE. 31 
Since the plant is a perennial, the root-stock must be hoed up, allowed 
to dry, and burnt. This is best done when the plant begins to flower since 
it is then most easily distinguished, but if left too late the seed will 
re-establish it next vear. As in the case of many weeds, merely scarifying 
and loosening the soil of the pasture, coupled with the application of 
light top-dressings of well rotted farmyard manure, so strengthens the 
grasses and pasture plants that the weeds are well kept under. Ordinary 
cultivation rapidly suppresses the weed, and on pastures, clovers, medicks 
-and trefoils help to keep it down, but it appears to be increasing rapidly 
in many parts of Victoria under the present grazing conditions. Other 
native species of /sotoma and Lobelia are supposed to be poisonous, but 
the evidence is unsatisfactory, and will be so until the new Veterinary 
Institute is in a position to carry out the required investigations. 
CucuRBITACEZ (CUCUMBER FAMILY). 
An order of herbs easily known by the separate male and female 
flowers, and by the berry-like fruits. 
Cucumis myriocarpus, Naudin. A native of Africa. A small cucumber 
with round fruits, stated tc be occasionally eaten by horses, when delirium 
and partial blindness result (1899, Wimmera District). The evidence is, 
however, quite unsatisfactory. The plant has spread principally along the 
Upper Murray, and is said to be eaten by cattle, when the grazing is poor, 
without ill effects. It is known as the Gooseberry Cucumber. 
Rusiace& (MAppER F amity). 
This order is represented among the Victorian weeds only -by the sub- 
growp Stellate, known by their smaJl white or yellow star-like flowers, 
with practically no calyx; four or five petals and stamens, and inferior 
ovary of two carpels. 
Sherardia arvensis, L. The Field Madder. A native of Europe and 
temperate Asia. Isa small annual, not very plentiful, and not likely to 
be troublesome. Introduced with foreign seed. . 
Galium Aparine, L. The Goose grass, Cleavers, or Robin-run-over-the- 
Hedge. A native of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is much more obnoxious, 
and has probably reached this State in impure seed, and with fodder. It 
is an annual, with weak, straggling stems, climbing by means of the 
roughened edges, bearing rings of six to eight leaves, with clusters of two, 
three, or more of small white flowers, forming paired burr-like prickly 
fruits, each half of the fruit with one seed. : 
The plant is a troublesome weed in corn crops on light soils, and also 
in gardens. ‘The preparation of a fine tilth encourages seed in the soil tc 
germinate, and then harrowing, discing, or shallow ploughing destroys the 
seedlings. Special care should be taken to avoid the use of impure seed, 
cr of manure containing the seeds of the plant. Although the’ seeds do 
not appear to have a very prolonged vitality, they are able to resist the 
action of fermenting manure for some months without losing the power 
of germination. _ The same applies to all seed with hard coats (Clover, 
Melilotus, Medicago, Acacia, Goodia, Malva, &c:). Passage through the 
stomach of an animal usually favours the germination of such seeds, as 
well as of the seeds enclosed in berry-like or stone fruits (Rose, Apple, 
Blackberry, Grape, Currant). Goose grass is eaten by stock when hungry, 
but, though not poisonous, is apt to cause internal irritation, and has a 
certain diuretic action. 
