38 BULLETIN 800, TT. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
On the basis of the same theory. Sheep 372 and Sheep 461 were 
treated with eserin and pilocarpin. In both cases the eserin produced 
defecation. Sheep 372 recoA^ered, while Sheep 461, which received a 
somewhat larger dosage, died. It is evident that the results from the 
use of arecolin and eserin were somewhat doubtful. While it seems 
probable that the course of the illness was somewhat modified, these 
drugs can hardly be considered as effective remedies. 
From the character of the lesions in the central nervous system it 
seems probable that no remedy would be very effectual, and that lit- 
tle reliance should be placed on any kind of treatment. Possibly if a 
line of symptomatic treatment were followed with the same care with 
which a human patient is treated, the course of the illness might be 
modified, but such treatment is impracticable, and in any case a fatal 
result is to be expected in most animals. 
ERADICATION OF THE WHORLED MILKWEED. 
The apparent rapid increase of this weed in some sections, together 
with the fact that it is dangerous in hay as well as while green, makes 
the question of its eradication an exceedingly important one. 
From what has been said of the habits of the plant, it is evident 
that its eradication will be a very difficult matter, for the young seed- 
ling, once started in a favorable location, begins to spread by adventi- 
tious buds from roots, being greatly aided by cultivation where cover 
crops are not grown. The rapid spread of the plant is aided by ordi- 
nary cultivation. The more the plant is broken, the better it thrives. 
Disk harrowing and plowing, without removal of the roots, simply 
helps to propagate the plant. 
If the roots are exposed on the surface they will die, but every 
piece left in the ground becomes the possible origin of a new plant, 
and the greater the number of pieces, the larger will be the resulting 
crop. Plate IV, figure 2, shows a plant growing from a piece of 
root one-quarter of an inch long. 
Presumably if tilled crops like beets, potatoes, and corn are grown, 
intensive cultivation by destroying the aerial parts of the plant will 
eventually have some effect, but it is a discouraging piece of work. 
Cutting or mowing the milkweed before seeding, while it does not 
eliminate the plant, will accomplish much in preventing its distribu- 
tion. This is especially important in driveways where hungry ani- 
mals are trailed, and in locations like bedding grounds, where animals 
are herded close together. Had this been done in the " death patch " 
near Cortez. previously referred to, the losses would have been greatly 
reduced, if not entirely avoided. 
Prevention of seeding of the whorled milkweed will stop the spread 
of the plant to a considerable extent. Mowing milkweed and de- 
