Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-01-12
From the Country Gentleman.
An Experience with White Weed.
January 3, 1870.

In 1868 plowed four acres of land, which
produced only light crop Of grass, and was
too low TO plant, intending to dress and seed
down Immediately. The fall was wet, and
it was found impossible to get on the manure
succeeded in narrowing tolcrably well sowed
part Of the seed that season, the remainder
the spring following. The first day of June,
1865, noticing that the land looked very
green, went to it you may judge my SUR
prise and indignation TO find the land occu-
pied with white-weed. We had never had il
upon the farm before; when il bossomed, it
was no wonder that the attention of the pass
ers-by was attracted TO it, | have seen many
fields of white-weed but none equal to this ;
il stood three feet in height. When in bloom
the whole surface was covered with flowers
1t would have been difficult to have found
square yard upon the whole piece that had
not u bunch Of roots foot across oftener
two or three such would be found. | resolved
to be rid of it, although many told me it could
not be done
We cut the crop in June while in bloom,
before the seeds were ripened sufficiently to
terminate we got a fair crop, the majority
Of which was white-weed We plowed the
field as soon as we could after haying. The
season favored us the summer and fall were
hot and dry, the succeeding winter cod--lit-
tie snow, with sudden changes. In the spring
we narrowed the surface thoroughly, which
was continued at intervals Of a few days un-
til August, digging up all that showed itself
When We seeded down, we gave the land q
good dressing of leached ashes. This was
followed by good catch and heavy crop OF
grass.
The next season our enemy appeared in
force. | purchased refuse salt, applying a
handful to the roots wherever it made
its appearance broke off the flowers thai
there might be no mistake when we had
been over the eptire field This was con.
tinued as long as any blooms appeared
Three days after the application, nothing
would be found excepting the place where il
recently was the stalks, roots and every
thing were burned over space as large as !
mans hand.
The second year but little could be seen
but which l treated in the same manner
This year few heads appeared, which yield
ed to the salt 10 all appearance we are rio
Of the pest, which has yielded only to deter
mined and continued labor. Without the aiC
Of salt it would have been a more Difficult
task. Il would add that the Turks IslanC
salt was the best.)
Messrs. Editors, what il a suitable punish
ment for scoundrel who will raise and pu
upon the market such seed as this, for il wa
obtained in sack Of red-top2 For the SAX
Of putting about couple Of dollars in thi
mans pocket, | am put to more than a hun
dred dollars expense. The State prison !
the only place for such fellows where thei
labor would be applied to the benefit of tn
State.
Since then | have closely examined III
seed before purchasing SOC. or 81 on
bushel has not been any object when cleai
seed could be had. la this way the expert
enoe has not been wholly yalueless. An Of,
gentleman in this vicinity used to keep white
weed and other foul seeds, liable TO come il
grass seed, in box ; before purchasing h
would look at il, and was able TO detect am
Of the more common kinds The clean ap
pearance Of his fields at the time of his dealt
was conclusive evidence that the plan was
good one. w. BRowS.
Hampton Falls, n. II.