1906.] 



Some Common Thistles. 



7i5 



For every shoot sent above ground the thistle uses some of 

 its stored material, and if the stems and leaves, which are the 

 plant's machinery for making more food, are destroyed as soon 

 as they appear, exhaustion and death certainly result. Both 

 old and young plants must be dealt with in this way. 

 Faithful systematic cutting with the spud or scythe in meadows 

 and pastures throughout two seasons, or the growth of a couple 



Fig. 10. — Head of Spear Thistle (natural size). 



of root crops in succession where the weed is very prevalent in 

 arable land, is a sure plan of getting rid of this most trouble- 

 some of agricultural pests. 



John Percival. 



