Litchfield enquirer., 1859-09-01

REASONABLE FARM IMPROVEMENTS. De stroying ' eeds. s.--The comparatively leisure season occurring after having and the early harvest, and before that of the later crops, may be considered the most favorable period of the year for making some of the most i'm portant Improvements of the farm. Not only are the usual farm labors less pressing than usual, but other circulnsta. ces, hereafter no ted, render it suitable time for destroying weeds in bye-places or wherever found for clearing swamp holes, and draining bogs and marshes :: and last, but far from the least for getting out muck to increase the amount and value of the manure. We shall offer some hints on each of these topics, repeating, per- haps, suggestions before made in the Cnltiva- tor and Country Gentlcman--but needing as much as ever urging upon the attention of our readers.
 Ot the many farm improvements necessary to the beauty and the profit of the home stead, none are more important than the de- struction of the weeds and bushes along the fences and roadsides in pastures and culti- vated fielt's-in short, wherever they appear ; so unsghtly to the eye, so detrimental to the growth of valuable crops, and so certain to 1 increase ih extent and amount of injury. As | formerly remarked, (Cultivator, Aug, 1850, } thistles, docks, briers, &c.,, are often allow | ed to flourish unmolested in the bye-places of the farm. On the borders of the fields they 1 occupy the richest of the soi and annually l extend their encroachments They are not unfrrqncntly seen ill good lands that are de voted to various crops, and in pastures are | quite common--many farmers being apparent 1 ly regardless of their presence OF efftcts." A little thought will show how inj irious the re- suit of sucl products upon the prosperity o. the farmer.
 One means of their eradication would be to carry out the rule to the letter. that no weeds be allowed to perfect their seed und S. i turbed." This will keep all annual and biell- nial plants from spreading, and as soon as the supply of seed in the soil is exhausted, will rid the farm of their presence. Many pcrca- nial plants can be materially checked in this way, and cons ant cutting will destroy the most persistent in vegetation No plant can 1 live without leaves-cven Canada thistles soon perish unler this treatment Docks and mulleins may be destroyed by pulling af ter they have formed their stalks Those
 that break off should be cut few inches be-
 low ground, and they will not again shoot
 forth :; the crown of the root only sending forth buds and fresh leaves The yellow dock
 is rapidly spreading plant, if allowed tt seed, and too much pains cannot be taken tt
 root them from the soil, both-by digging anc
 pulling. Tine presence of the burdcck indi
 cates very rich soil, and such soil should bt
 put to better use than the production 0
 this perncious weed. To those who keel
 sheep, the destruction of this and all bur-bear ing plants is especially important
 Briers and other bushes, if cut at this sea
 son, will be nearly destroyed. They have fin
 ished their new growth, aLd are now forming
 buds for another year. If cut closely, bu l few sprouts will start up, and these may b.
 readily kept down by bruising with stou istick, or pasturing with shecp--a few season