The times., 1898-10-09
PLANTS AND WEEDS.
These of Maryland VIII All BE
Catnlogued.
fFrnm the Baltimore Srln.l

- Catalogued.
(From the Baltimore SUM-
For the first time in the history of the
State careful effort Is being made for a
thorough botanical survey of Maryland
The work is being done in connection
with the State Geological Survey. and is
being carried on by that department. 1t
is proposed to make a full and complete
list of every plant, bush flower, or tree
growing in the State, and great results
are anticipated. Profs. Basil Sellers and
y. w. Barton have just finished pre.im-
mary survey of certain portions of the
State
Prof. Sellers, in speaking of the plan,
said: Our purpose is TO make a list of
the plants growing in the State, to study
them as to their distribution, their eco
nomic value and also to include special
study of the poisonous plants and weeds
that are so troublesome to farmers. We
will attempt to devise means of getting
rid of those that are undesirable in kind
and quantity. The grasses OF the State
will be taken up in regard TO their value
as food plants for cattle, and the forest
trees In regard 20 their value and preser-
vation as timber. We will study the
plants in their relation to soil and situa-
ton. Special chapters and notes will be
added to the list upon certain features
that We find. The gathering OF all this
data may take long time, but we intend
to go over the entire State systematically,
and the results will be published at the
discretion OF Prof. w. b. Clark, State
geoloSist The work so far has been pre-
liminary
During the early Spring / started at
work, making short trips on Saturdays
in the western part of the State. The
first long visit made was to ST Mary's
County, and afterward to Oakland and
Westernpert, in the western section. We
spent most of the Summer in the vicinity
OF Frostburg, Oakland, and Friendsville.
working specially among the lumber in
dustry. Parts of the eastern shore, about
Ocean City and Berlin, and the cypress
swamps on the Pocomoke River were also
visited. The northwestern part of the
State has not yet been touched
Concerning the forests, l found that at
the rate they are now being devastated in
some of the sections we visited, in the
course of few more years there wilDbe
very few trees, while in others the indus
try is carried on in such way as not TO
destroy the forest. / made a visit to the
forestry department, Washington. and
talked with the authorities there about
means to preserve our forest trees They
say there is no way OF preventing the
obliteration of the forests except by cut
tlng the trees so as not to denude them
entirely, and TO allow another growth 10
spring up. However, / do not think we
are in dangerous condition as regards
the forests. There is plenty of timber in
nearly every section STILL
of the poisonous plants and weeds we
intend making d thorough list and doing
our best TO point out means of getting
rid of them. 4 special study is now being
u ,F
partment In Washington. There are a
considerable number of poisonous plants
In the State, but only two that are
poisonous to the touch. These are com
monty known as poison oak and poison
sumac. The poison oak grows every
where, in fence corners, on graves, and
in fields. The poison sumac grows only
in swamps. The effects of these two
plants are different on different persons
Some are not affected at all; others have
few blisterS or so as the result OF con-
tact, while others are poisoned so seri-
ously as to be Obliged 10 have doctor
and are confined to bed. Besides these,
there are some plants which can give per-
sons certain diseases OF t..y skin, and a
number that are poisonous to sheep and
cattle. Laurel is one of the principal
plants that is poisonous TO cattle. We
and have during the Summer collected
some valuable Information. The trouble
some weeds that spread to such an extent
in pastures and fields We would like to
make a feature of. My idea is to address
a circular letter 10 farmers in every sec
tion of the State, asking them to tell US
what weeds or flowers give them the
greatest amount of trouble in their dis
trict and TO send US specimens. We will
make a study of them and try to point
out ways of getting rid of the weeds and
preventing their going 10 seed in the
field.
"One of the worst plants of this kind
is the cookie, as 1t Is commonly called.
which grows with wheat. II goes to seed
when the wheat does, and is generally
cut with the wheat. the seed coming out
as small, black speeks in grain. If suffi-
cient quantity of this seed is eaten with
the grain it will poison either people or
cattle, The Hartford County blue weed is
another troublesome plant, and is diff
cult TO deal with. In the cypress swamps
plenty Of the poison sumac can be
found, but happily ii does not grow in
fields. Cypress is a valuable wood. and
along the PocOmoke, beyond the point of
navigation. there are extensive districts
of these trees.
mo attempt has previously been made
to botanicaIly survey the entire State. al
though some portions of it have been
gone over"