LEGISLATION AGAINST WEEDS. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The eradication or control of the weeds established in a given neigh- 
borhood and the exclusion of new ones are results which can be 
achieved only through the cooperation of all the landowners. While 
the majority of farmers in a progressive community endeavor of their 
~ own accord to keep weeds under control, their efforts are embarrassed, 
if not defeated, by the annual introduction of seed from the weed 
patches of unthrifty neighbors. As there are sure to be some individ- 
uals who are moved neither by private interest nor public spirit to keep 
their fields clean, it seems necessary that the majority should have the 
authority of law to enforce cooperation in suppressing this public evil. 
During the past three years the subject of troublesome weeds has 
received more attention than before, and there is an increasing demand 
in many of the States for legislation which will enable the farmers to 
keep injurious plants in subjection. A more general knowledge of the 
weed laws already in the statutes of the several States may arouse 
greater interest in their execution, and a compilation of these laws, 
such as is offered in this bulletin, will doubtless prove an aid in devis- 
ing new legislation against weeds. 
Twenty-five of the States and Territories of this country now have 
laws for the suppression of weeds. In most of these laws the pro- 
scribed weeds are indicated by the common names only, therefore 
considerable doubt exists in some cases as to what species is intended. 
Owing probably to a misidentification of plants, species are proscribed 
by the laws of Wisconsin and Minnesota that do not grow in those 
States, and by a misuse of technical names cultivated wheat and oats 
are included in a recent Minnesota law.. In the Iowa law against 
thistles the common name Canada thistle is followed by the technical 
name for bull thistle. The law was evidently intended to apply to one 
species only, but a reasonable doubt exists as to whether the common 
or the technical name should be followed. The most satisfactory, 
although not strictly legal, solution is to require the destruction of 
both species. The following table indicates the weeds proscribed by 
the laws of the several States. 
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