Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-08

ueep IN tne earth by the plow, they may
preserve their vitality for many years. and
when the soil is deeply stirred again, and
they are brought under the influence Of the
warmth and air Of the surface, they cover
the ground with motley herbage, to the
astonishment of the farmer, who may have
accounted his soil clear of weeds
Happily, in our war with weeds we may
employ well approved tactics, and head off
the enemy by certain short cuts. We should
move upon their ranks in an early campaign,
and before they have become firmly estab-
lished in their position. Shortly after plant
ing has been done, the seeds of weeds lying
near the surface for the most part germinate.
Those of few species wait for the heat of
summer to bring them out, and such, min
Cling with those Of the early-growing plants
which lie too deep to grow, will give us
trouble later in the season, sometimes. even
after cultivation can no longer be carried on
without injury to the crops. But the main
crop Of weeds starts with the corn, and an
early stirring Of the surface will destroy
them. If this be done before they appear
above ground, all the better, for their tiny
and tender stems are then most easily broken
by a movement Of the soil. The difficulties
of the operation are increased bu. little DUR
ing the first week or ten days of their life
they are still easily torn from their roots or
buried with little earth. But as the sea-
son advances their hold upon the soil grows
rapidly more firm, and, if hoeing is delayed
too long, it requires much power to drive the
hoe or the cultivator through the soil.
Their tenacity of life is increased, so that to
be destroyed their roots must be cleared of
earth, and they must be left on the surface
with care. Yet there are hardly niOre weeds
then than at first, only they are stronger.
Judge French, Of Massachusetts, and j. j.
Thomas, of New York, most excellent farm
ers, have each constructed implements calcu-
lated to take advantage Of the weakness Of
young weeds. That Of Judge French is a
cultivator with fine harrow.like teeth. 1t
passes between the rows and close to the
plants, easily stirring the surface soil while
it is yet mellow, thereby playing fine havoc
with the small weeds.
If the operation is often repeated, and
the weeds in the rows or hills are removed
in season by the hoe or hand, the real labor
of hoeing and wedding, and the tearing out of
large, strongly rooted weeds, is not expend-
ed. This is taking the timely stitch in hoe
ing, and making light work of it. Mr..
Thomas invention is large harrow abun-
dainty furnished with fine teeth. 1t is used
broadcast over corn, potatoes and some other
hoed crops, soon after they come up. The
backward inclination of the teeth enables
them to pass over the more firmly rooted
plants of corn, &C., while the weeds are
thoroughly torn up or buried in the soil.
Other implements do their work with more
or less efficiency, and whichever is used, let
hoeing be done early 1t will then be easily
and thoroughly done.
Summer following, as means of subdu-
ing foul land, and benefting it in other i'm
portant respects is too little practced in
Vermont farming. The first growth Of
weeds being plowed under before there is
any danger of its dropping seed, another
crop will spring up from the fresh soil
brought from below Repeated plowingS
will exhaust the reserve forces OF the weeds,
and render the task of subsequent culhva-
tion less onerous, will leave the soil in a
light and friable condition, will enrich 1t by
the weeds returned to it, and will greatly
promote the weathering process whereby the
mineral elements Of the soil are dissolved
aud rendered available food for plants.
Whoever adopts the practice of an OCCASION
abandon it,
A light narrowing of weedy grounds, par
ticularly grain stubble, just as the fall rains
begin, will cause the termination of many
weeds which the autumn frosts or fall plow-
ing will destroy. A large number of per-
ennials establish their young plants during
the latter part Of summer, and they are de.
stroyed much more effeotually by fall plow-
ing than they are if not turned over until
spring. The scythe may play an important
part in the destruction of weeds, 1t not
unfrequently happens that for some unavoid.
able cause there are patches of weeds on the
farm that have become full grown, but fol
neglecting to NOW these down before their
seeds ripen there can seldom be any excuse
But in clearing up the waste places of the
farm, the barnyard, fence-rows, &c., as well
: as in subduing the perennial weeds which
give an unkempt look to the pasture grounds
the scythe is our chief reliance. The prop
er time for this work is some time in August
Speaking precisely, it is the moment wher
the full strength of the particular plant il
above grOund-when the growth is abou
completed, With perennial herbs it is short
ly alter their blooming with hriars anc
shrubs it is the end of August.
{ (CORctuded aert veek.)
,