THE BOTANY OF ARKANSAS. 249 



the worst weed that they have to contend with. It spreads 

 rapidly by the seed, so that it can scarcely be eradicated, but 

 it must be kept down by constant plowing and hoeing. In its 

 proper place, however, as a forage plant it is valuable, and is 

 to some extent cut for hay. 



Another very troublesome weed, a native of our own coun- 

 try, is the Spanish needles (Bidens bipinnata), which vies in 

 persistence with the crab-grass. 



The purslane {PorUdaca oleracea), or " pusley," as it is more 

 commonly pronounced, holds its place here as elsewhere. 



In cornfields, two species of morning glory (one o{ them 

 Ipovma nil) and another plant called blue-vine [Cocculus caro- 

 linns) does considerable damage. All three are twiners, and 

 choke and bend the cornstalks ; frequently so overrunning a 

 field as to seriously impede the progress of a person walking 

 through it. 



Three species of Cassia (C. marilandica, C. obtusifolia, and 

 C. occidentalis) grow abundantly in the waste places about vil- 

 lages, being particularly abundant at Batesville and at Grand 

 Glaise. 



Yellow dog-fennel (Helenium temrifolinvi) and white dog- 

 fennel [Maruta cotuld) are abundant, their usual habitat being 

 along highways and on village commons, where they hold un- 

 disputed ground, for they are disliked by cattle. The yellow 

 dog-fennel seems to confine itself to, or perhaps only yet to 

 have become established in the lowlands. 



In the streets of Little Rock the common weeds are Chenop- 

 odium ambrosioides, AmaranUis spinosus, and Solanum carolim- 

 anunt. Solanum rostratum, introduced from farther west, is 

 beginning to appear along the railways, and promises to be a 

 handsome weed, if nothing more. 



A plant that has been long cultivated in the farming dis- 

 tricts as an out-door ornament will add one more weed to the 

 flora of Arkansas. This is Pardanthus chinensis, popularly 

 known as "flag." It has escaped from cultivation in many 



