Aliens! Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Small lock-n-lock in neighborhood park.
The curse of all geocachers started as an experiment gone horribly, horribly wrong. Multiflora rose or Rosa multiflora was introduced into our country as early as 1886. Colonists carried root stock from China, Korea, and Japan to plant in gardens. But it was not until the 1930's that it gained a real foothold in our country.
Our very own U.S. Soil Conservation Service started promoting it to farmers for use as natural fences. It was a great idea but the wrong plant. They gave root stock away free and farmers were more than happy to try planting it. It would save them from buying expensive wood for fences or having to do constant repairs on fences. It was not until the noxious plant began to spring up in the pastures that the true hideous nature of the plant surfaced. As the cows grazed, they would get cuts on their teats which would require stitches. Before the widespread use of antibiotics, many cows died from infections from these cuts.
Alas the birds love the “hips” or seeds and began spreading the bush further and further. Before long, it was not just a problem for farmers and cattlemen, but the plant started crowding out native shrubs that wildlife had counted on for food.
Today the sale of this plant is prohibited but, as always, it was too little, too late to prevent the plant from taking over.
Other invasive plants include: winged burning bush, privet, Japanese barberry, honeysuckle and autumn olive, just to name a few. Although not as uncomfortable to run into, they are just as destructive to our prairies and forests. Unfortunately many of these are still being sold as landscaping plants and planted by home owners who are not aware of their destructive ways.
A great site to familiarize yourself with these plants is: www.invasive.org/eastern
I have hidden a small lock and lock box in a very nice urban park. There are better caches to observe masses of multiflora rose so do not be afraid. You can wear shorts and not get too bloody.
Place container back as you find it. Enjoy.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Irel ybj naq haqre.
Treasures
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