Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-09-14
HOW TO BANIsH THE CANADA THISTLE

EDITORS Co. GENT-In your number for
August l7th, J. NJ C. wants directions for
banishing the Canada Thistle Now l
reckon ! am the very man who can give
them. | have had half a century Of exper-
fence, and began by cutting thick patches
with hoe, when small boy. Ny fathers
directions where to cent them off below the
top of the ground" This order faithfully,
but wearisomely, carried out, two, three, or
four times year. with some dimihuton OF
the extent covered bu it was not success
tui practice i'll the way Of banishment.
Now, j. NJ. c., hear and do. Plow your
land this fall ; put on a wheel cultivator
next sp ing, in good season turrow i'll
shallow rows for planting potatoes, and
plant Peach Blows, putting in small pieces,
one foot apart in the row. When the shoots
appear little above the surface, pass over
the ground with Scotch harrow or its
equivalent In short time hoe the pota-
toes and make it point not to leave a
thistle standing. If you have4a cultivator
or some similar implement it will material
ly help in the accomplishment Of the work.
Look sharp very sharp and allow the enemy
no standing point. Repeat the process, ,and
keep repeating it, at all times when the
enemy appears,
I think you should hoe the potatoes not
less than three times III the month OF June,
besides pulling out at other times, remem-
bering June is the nick Of time. Do not
look for the old Of the moon the new of
the moon, or the middle of the moon but
watch for the thistle during the whole of
the moon. If you, J. NJ c., are not persis-
q, lon;rb +h, ranol, +lir+lo
during the month Of june then the Canada
thistle will be persistent enough to trouble
you and goad your laziness. Faithfulness
for one month will do much toward "ban-
shing" the thistles but time following
must not be neglected, if you wish to Sc
cure perpetual and returnless banishment
for the pest.
But will not Buckeyes Or any other pota-
toes, do as well as Peach Blows No,sir
Buckeyes are to carly III ripening, and the
vines are too short Peach Blow, on the
other hand, is a late potato the vines are
heavy and keep green later III the fall than
any other potato with which am acquaint-
ed The heavy growth of the top leaves
little or no room for the thistles in the after
part Of the season.
Fall blowing is not vero essential but
would usually plow not less than seven
inches deep, at any rate make the soil mel
low and fine.
j. NJ c. you have the directions for ban
ishing the Canada thistle" which | have
found very eflectual for attaining the end
in a siugle year-receiving such a fine
crop Of potatoes as to afford good returns
for the whole Of the labor. 1t is now for
you to decide whether the thistle shall be
baniShed or not. How do you vote
What was Canada Thistle made for ? For
the double object of cultivating the ground
for mans use, and compelling man to cult
vate the ground for hIs own benc tito
Danish idleness, the sc,uIsc AMI curse Of
humanity, high on '1w. rich aid poor. The
deeply penetrating shIu!herel roots of the
Canada Thistle search al tie ground for
life and growth and bring 10 the surface ii
successive seasons vegetable matter, which,
decaying, cntichcs the lad, aud thus pre-
pares the way for the husbandman. rI.
tiIIcr Of the soil must then Danish tine pre-
cedjng claborator, and show, by his indus
try, that he is worthy to succeed ; and also,
that he is willin4 to occupy the land from
which he seeks to dispossess an occupant
appointed by the Creator to hold possession
until earth's rightiul tenant cvinces sutfic-
cnt faith and patience to subdue it.--COun-
try Gent