Prickly Lettuce

Tliis plant is one oí the most vigorous weeds that has ever appeared iiii our state. During the past few years it has spread froni the Atlantic to tlie Pacific. Sooii after the close of the war of the rebellioui this weed was introdueed to thds country fromi Europe and was ïirst observed growing iu ovaste places mear Cambridge, Mass. Traveling rapidly westward it reached Ohio in 1878. In 1S82 it was noliced in Detroit, reaohing Owoso in 18S7 and Grand Rapids tlie next year. During the past six years this weed has spread throughout the whole western states, and now from its si i 'ongholds in the cities and villages it is invading farniing communities. Prickley Lettuce is the wild parent of our cultivated lettuce and in its native Land lias never sliown any oí the vicious teiLdencies it is now exliibiting iu4he land of its adoption. Here it seems to want the earth, and has evidently oome to stay. From numerous inqniries lately received by the station in regard to this plant, it seeins tlLat possibly maaiy people fear ihat this weed is the dreaded Bussiau TJiistle. However, there is no record that this western pest, which is in no respect like Prickley Lettuce, has ever been iseen east of Lake 'Michigan. DESCRIPTIOX. Prickley Lettuce ïis a.n annual plant from two to five feet high with numerous slender branches towards the upper part of the etiff, solid stem which when broken or cut pours out a jnilky juice. The bluish green leaves have a tow of prickles or bristles on the under side, along the midrib and by a twist near the base, assume a verticle position by which the plant may be easily recognized. Flovers are yellow in small heads generalij' appearing late in July producing from itwelv to t wenty flat, brown black, rigid eeeds, having parachute like attacJiments by which the wind is able to carry then a long distance. REMBDY. Cut rthe plaats close to the ground early in July before the blosonis appear. New bramches will immediately spring up from tlie cut sterns so that repeated cuttings must be made later in tlie season. It is not probable that this pest will ever prove troublesome in meadows or in weU tilled fields, but ín all waste places, especially in vacant lots in cities and villages, it ■will become a continually increasing nuisance uniese speedily sta-mped out.-