Substituted benzanilides of the formula are prepared by reacting an appropriately substituted aniline with an appropriately substituted benzoic acid chloride or benzoic acid anhydride. In the formula, X is a halogen atom or a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, carbo-lower-alkoxy, amino, cyano, arsono, acetyl or nitro group, Y is a halogen atom or a cyano, nitro, arsono, carbo-lower-alkoxy or lower alkyl group, Z is an oxygen or sulphur atom, R is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, the term "lower" signifying having 1-7 carbon atoms, and m and n are integers from 0 to 3 (except that, when X and Y are only halogen, m and n are integers from 1 to 5). In Table I, a large number of values for Z, Ym, Xn and R are given and, in each case, the melting point of the product is stated.ALSO:Pre- and post-emergence herbicidal compositions, which are particularly suitable for killing grasses and broad leaf weeds in cotton fields, and which act on plants systemically to confer immunity to attack by mildew, comprise at least one benzanilide of the formula in a solvent comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and an oxygenated organic solvent. In the formula, X is a halogen atom or a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, carbo-lower-alkoxy, amino, cyano, arsono, acetyl or nitro group, Y is a halogen atom or a cyano, nitro, arsono, carbo-lower-alkoxy or lower alkyl group, Z is an oxygen or sulphur atom, R is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, the term "lower" signifying having 1-7 carbon atoms, and m and n are integers from 0 to 3 (except that, when X and Y are only halogen, m and n are integers from 1 to 5). Suitable aromatic hydrocarbons include benzene, xylene and methylated naphthalenes. Suitable oxygenated organic solvents include methyl, ethyl and isopropyl esters of acetic acid; ethylene glycol and its monomethyl, monoethyl, monobutyl and monophenyl ethers; propylene glycol; diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate; 4-methyl-4-methoxy-pentan-2-ol; 4-methyl-4-methoxy-pentan-2-one; acetophenone; dimethyl sulphoxide; and isophorone. The compositions may also contain (a) anionic, cationic or non-ionic emulsifying agents or surfactants and/or (b) herbicides having an oxidizing ion and chosen from dipyridilium salts; alkali metal or alkaline earth metal nitrates; and herbicidal arsenical compounds (e.g. aliphatic arsonic and arsinic acids, cacodylic acid and their metal and amine salts). The compositions are preferably applied in the form of aqueous sprays.