riontana Experiment Station. 



Bulletin No. 30. June. 1901. 



WEEDS OF MONTANA 



J. W. Blaxkixship, Botaxtst. 



I. GENERAL STUDY OF THE WEED FLORA. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the study of the economic features of a new state like Mon- 

 tana, where relatively little has been done toward a systematic 

 biological survey of its natural productions, the botanist is 

 seriously handicapped by the lack of available scientific collections 

 to represent the different species of plants in the state and to show 

 their relative abundance and distribution. Practically all this 

 flora is of economic import, either to benefit or injure the indus- 

 tries of man. The forests are utilized for wood and lumber; the 

 shrubs serve as forest nurseries, the herbs and grasses for forage. 

 Many are capable of economic cultivation for their fruit, for shade 

 or for ornament, while others are harmful and need restraint. 

 Parasitic fungi attack our crops and greatly reduce the yield; 

 many plants are poisonous to stock and cause extensive loss; some 

 ill-flavor the milk of cows or the honey of bees; while the spines of 

 cacti and the awns of grasses serioush' injure the mouth of stock, 

 and weeds mar our yards and highways and compete successfully 

 with growing crops. 



In order to combat these pests intelligently or to make the 

 best use of the native plants in our industrial life, it is necessary to 

 know their life history, their habits and their distribution within 

 the state, and these facts can be secured only from a representative 



