PLATE IV.*-SQUIRREL-TAIL GRASS (Hordeum jubatum L.) This excellent plate, as well as plates V, XI, XII and XIII, we are able to present through the kindness of Prof. Chas. S. Crandall, Botanist of the Colorado Station. The weed conditions of the two States are so si lar that we were glad to avail ourselves of the excellent work that had been done for Bulletin 23. "Colorado Weeds," in which these plates first appeared. SQUIRREL-TAIL GRASS, Fox-Tail, Wild Barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) In a State where hay forms so staple and important a crop as in Wyoming, the worst weed of our meadaws must receive attention. In the opinion of the writer there is no one weed that so much concerns hay producers and hay users as this. Not because it is ever likely to take complete possession of our lands, as the Russian Thistle threatens to do, but because, so long as it is endured in our meadows, much hay must be quite unfit for use. How any one who knows its worthless character and the injur ies that it inflicts upon stock can for a moment think of using hay in which it is found in any appreciable quantity, is incomprehensible. Selfish interests, as well as humane considerations, forbid its use. This annual grass is, as soon as it heads, a pest and only a pest. Its light seeds, armed with the long barbed bristles, are carried everywhere by the wind, in the waters of our irrigating ditches and on our streams, and even by animals in their hair and wool. With such easy dissemination the plant readily spreads to all fields where suitable conditions are offered. Unfortunately suitable conditions are often unwittingly created by the ranchman himself. By over-irrigation, particularly during the spring months, the native or cultivated grasses are wholly or partly killed out and the vacated soil is promptly occupied by this hardy indigene. Being an annual it is not so very difficult to bring it under control. Infested meadows may be cut before the Squirrel-Tail heads, and if they are cut a second time during the season this will practically exterminate it, if fence. corners and turning rows are not maturing plants for the re-seeding of the ground. Where it is in complete possession of a meadow the safest and best means is to break up the ground and plant to a cultivated crop for a year or two. This is always effective and probably the shortest road to a well-sodded meadow again, for the considerable presence of this weed in any field indicates that the better grasses have run out. In this State there are many valuable meadows of native grasses which are being ruined by injudicious methods of irrigation. Constant flooding drowns out the better grasses, which are then replaced by seeds and rushes, or, worse yet, by Squirrel-Tail Grass. It is to be hoped that more judicious methods may prevail, and that the remarkably nutritious native grasses may still be saved in many meadows. No description of this is needed; it is known to all, or if not, may easily be recognized from the accompanying plate. More complete information as to the structure, the mode of dissemination, the injuries resulting from this weed and the best methods of exterminating it, can be obtained from a bulletin by the writer*, No. 19 of this Station, and from one by Prof. L. H. Pammelt, of the Iowa Station. COCKLE, Cow Herb (Saponaria vaccaria L.) Cockle is known to all the farmers of this State by name at least. Many have learned to know it at sight by reason of much bitter experience. This is at present the *Squirrel-Tail Grass Fox-Tail), One of the Stock Pests of Wyoming. In cultivated fields it causes worst weed in grain fields. very little trouble, as it is as readily destroyed as other weeds; but in fields of spring wheat, especially, much damage is done by this plant. Springing up with the wheat the latter is crowded out, shaded out, and robbed of the food it might otherwise get from the soil. The result is a greatly reduced crop of inferior quality. Like most of our bad weeds it is an introduction from Europe, but it is so well established now in this country and in the wheat growing sections of Wyoming that where it came from is only of historical interest. How to keep it out of our grain fields is a practical question, and I think one which can be answered. This is a case where prevention, rather than cure, must be sought. A field well seeded to Cockle, as well as wheat, is practically beyond redemption. The remedy lies in clean seed on clean ground. This is not so difficult of attainment as many suppose. Suspected seed wheat, if it must be used, should and can be cleaned by screening. This should be sown on clean ground. Let the ground known to be full of Cockle seed be used for cultivated crops till the Cockle has been exterminated. To avoid having to fight and endure loss from it every year see that road sides, fence rows and vacant grounds are not maturing plants and seeds to undo all your other work. This annual may be known by its smooth, opposite leaves, united by their bases, by its rather large pink flowers in a strongly five angled calyx which becomes much enlarged in fruit. It usually grows 18 inches to 2 feet high and branches above. These characteristics in connection with the figure of |