Show CANADA THISTLE PEST prickly plant Is found in almost every martof country no other weed veed has ever received so much unfavorable attention roots rather than tops must be destroyed in the states north of the ohio river probably no plant bears such a bad reputation is as does the so called canada thistle this f marvelously prickly plant abounds in grain fields pastures and meadows throughout the central west and is locally common in the northeastern states it is found in parts of west virginia kentucky and missouri and of late years s has been increasingly troublesome in the grain growing sections of th the e northwest orth west canada thistle or simply thistle has been condemned in the laws of 25 states and at least one huri dred local communities no other three plants together having received so much unfavorable attention certainly no plant is more generally and heartily disliked unless it be the sand bur of the southern coastal plain the cause of the remarkable vitality 4 of canada thistle and the point that distinguishes it from other prickly plants that are commonly mistaken for it is the long cord like perennial root this root penetrates the soil at canada thistle TI a depth of eight to fifteen inches or more and gives rise at frequent intervals to leafy shoots thus it will often be found that an entire patch 0 thistles whistles es is attached to one root and Is in reality but one plant the root Is exceedingly hardy and baft can live over winter or through a prolonged drought in a dormant condition pieces of the root that ure tire broken oft off by a plow or cultivator and carried to other places will await a warm moist period and then begin to send up leafy shoots thus establishing a new patch forthwith if the leafy stems ste ms are cut down others will be sent up to take their place and chis lils process may be repeated from two to eight times before the root becomes exhausted the point that must be kept in mind in lighting canada thistles whistles es Is that it is the roots rather than the tops that must be killed simply cutting off the tops a few times lias has much the same effect as pruning an apple tree but it if the tops are cut off deep and frequently the root must eventually suffocate through lack of leaves |