New-York tribune., 1906-09-23
WEEDS AND LAWS.
One Nay Get Into jail for Grorcing
ThStleS.

At one time. not very long ago. 1t illegal
20 wear the shamrock. and and women have
been imprisoned for breaking this law. but one
ever heard Of the same penalty being imposed upon
those who wore the Scotch thistle However. II
is fact that to-day there certain laws In the
United States which prohibit the growing and
even the introduction OF ths Scottish emblem into
America. There the Scotch thistle is regarded as a
weed OF very malignant nature. and such II
has brought many farmers and others into trouble
According to an authority veTsed IA American
law the subject OF troublesome weeds in tho United
States has received good deal OF attention lately.
and there is increasing demand for more rig
orous legislation which will enable the farmers to
keep injurious plants in subjection- Twenty-Five Of
the states and territories OF America now have
laws the suppression Of weeds and It is rather
curious TO note that the laws Of Wisconsin and
Minnesota include plants which have never made
their appearance in those states. as well as wheat
and oats. which hardly be looked upon
weeds.
The number Of obnoxious plants against which
the laws OF America directed about thirty.
and OF these the most dreaded is the emblem OF
proud Old Caledonia. As matter of fact. however.
the thistle is by means so troublesome as many
Others and in regions it does not grow at ALL
Another so-calIed weed which is looked upon with
distrust is sweet clover, which in this country is
regarded the finest kind Of forage plant. Other
plants included in this legislation against weeds
are ox-eyed daisies. wild mustard, sunfowers,
yellow daisies. snapdragon. and carrots. onions
and parsnips in a wild state
In Arizona the laws against sun1owers are par
ticularly stringent, and all owners operators Of
irrigating canals required remove from the
thereon before they ripen and mature their seed
Failure TO do SO is misdemeanor. and subject
second, 500 for the third. and on. All such fines
are paid into the public school fund.
In each county in the state there is weed in
specIor for each township whose duty il is TO in
spect all lands lots within his district. and If he
finds any weeds he must notify the owners Of the
land 20 destrOy them. If the weeds are not de-
stroyed within hye days OF the notice being served
the weed inspector has the right TO employ aborers
enter the lands in question and destroy the weeds
IN the most pracucaole and economlcaI manner
possible The expenses OF course. are charged 70
heavy fine for the first two or three offences after
which IL he is still careless regarding the propaga-
over the matter In Jail
In New York State it is the duty of the super
ne S,t 5oyy i viz in eanh vsaT in TIUe and again
in August II he negects TO do so, any person who
has a mind 10 may p-rform the work at the ex- |
the courts at the rate OF 81 a day. In the same |
manner the railroad corporations and turnpike cor
porations must destroy the white and yellow daisies
the thistes and other weeds growing on their lands
twice a year On June and IN August, ana ~ tney !
work may come alOng. cut down the weeds and |
then recover from the corporations the sum OF
In New York and North Dakota there are spe-
a plant which is known 10 the unbotancal as /
.cress." So much is this weed regarded as a pub |
those land who allow II TO go TO seed with |
out destroying il. stated time is given for its |
destruction. and for each day after that this duty
IS neglected the delinquents are hned SO Repeated
offences are liable 10 be punished with imprison- |
ment.
For thickly settled farming communities. and es-
pecially for cities and villages an annual inspec-
ton now takes place in most states. As rule, all |
the land IN township six miles square can ba IN |
spected sufficiently for the purpose Of detecting
noyious weeds by one man In three DAYS time. |
With such an inspection il is found that most |
weeds are discovered Ipon their first introduction:
when they may be completely eradlCated az Snlal
expense. Even the best farmers seldom notice a |
newly introduced weed until il has produced seeds |
two or three seasons and becomes aggressive on |
their farms Hence the value OF these annual IN |
spectlons by the state botanist--Tit-Btts.