CHAPTER XII. 



PURE SEED AND WEED LAWS. 



Many states of the United States have weed and seed laws and 

 similar laws are on the statute books of the principal agricultural 

 countries of the world. Long, who in ' ' Common Weeds of the 

 Farm and Garden" has summarized the legislation, states, in Ap- 

 pendix III, that the laws are quite stringent in Australia, and in 

 the South African Colonies; that the only laws requiring the de- 

 struction of weeds in the British Islands are in Ireland and the 

 Isle of Man; that no laws or regulations are in force in Great 

 Britain although there is an Adulteration and Seeds Act. 



Canada has a good general seed law; Manitoba has a noxious 

 weed act passed in 1906 which included common wild mustard, 

 Canada thistle, perennial sow thistle, wild oats, "stink-weed" or 

 penny cress, and false flax. The law provides that owners and 

 occupants of land shall be compelled to cut down, or destroy weeds, 

 to prevent seeding. 



In Ontario the law provides that every occupier must cut down 

 all Canada thistles, ox-eye daisies, wild oats, ragweed, burdock and 

 all other noxious weeds to which the act may be extended by 

 municipal law to prevent the ripening of seed, provided it does 

 not destroy the growing grain. 



The law of the Northwest Territories is similar to that of 

 Manitoba, excepting that inspectors are appointed who have the 

 power to act in the case of the occupier's default. It is further 

 provided that threshing machines shall be cleaned before being re- 

 moved from one place to another. 



The law of Quebec includes daisies, wild endive, chicory, celan- 

 dine and wild mustards as weeds. 



In Saskatchewan the Noxious Weed Ordinance schedules nine- 

 teen species including six species of mustard and three of thistles. 

 This province also provides for the appointment of weed inspectors. 



The province of Alberta, Act of 1907 amended in 1908, mentions 

 22 noxious weeds. Inspectors are also appointed. The sale of 

 seed containing 5 per 1,000 noxious weed seeds is forbidden and 

 the germinating power of all weed seed must be destroyed before 



