JOHN D. RITCHIE, Secretary.

Manawatu Herald, 22 August 1895, Page 3

JOHN D. RITCHIE, Secretary.

LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS, No. 18. The thistles illustrated here were all mentioned in the Second Annual Report. Two additional figures have been inserted, viz., the Yellow Star Thistle and the Milk * Thistle. It is hoped that the publication of these drawings will aid settlers to recognise the plants mentioned, and so guard against their dissemination.

Malta Thistle, Cockspur Thistle, Saucy Jack. (C. welitenm.) Found in South Europe, North Africa, and South-west Asia. By T. W. Kikk, F.L.S., Ac, London. Portion of flowering stalk, with leaves, natural size (from drawing by Baron von Mueller). In the drawing the spines of flower-heads fire rather more pronounced than in n, plant of ordinary growth.

Annual, erect, not much branched, sometimes attains the height of 3ft. ; root leaves stalked, pinnatifid, stem leaves not divided. Flower-head yellow, terminal, armed with numerous spiny braots, with toothed margins. I recently saw a specimen of this thistle from Canterbury. As already mentioned, it is de scribed in New South Wales as one of the worst posts ever introduced that colony ; and it is equally bad or worse in some parts of America. Professor Hilgard, of the University of California, in an article on the weeds of that State, says : — " Starting in early spring, the Uentautea melitensis will mature seeds in May; these, or any others, will germinate again under conditions of heat and dryne3S that will permit no other seed to move ; this second generation again runs to seed rapidly, and. may in its turn be succeeded by a third, maturing its seed in December. The wiry tap-root penetrating deep into the soil requires & sharp tool to oat it. The tooalate (the

Mexican name for this plant) is thus a weed that, unlike almost any other j within the State, gives the farmer no summer rest where it is once estab* j lished. In pastures it is even a worse pest than in cultivated fields, as it will take possession of the ground so soon as even a casual overstocking occurs, being able to avail itself of any chance that may occur throughout the season. It quickly and completely runs out the native grasses, and it is impossible to restore the grass without previous cultivation. For, although the plant is annuai, if cut anywhere above the crown it soon sprouts decumbent branches, that will bloom and fruit under the very tread of cattle ; and, if cut, the same process will be repeated the same or the following year." It is perhaps not likely that this weed will become as great a pest here as in New South Wales and California, but it will be advisable to keep a sharp lookseut, and destroy all pioneer plants. (To be continued.)