The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-11-04
agricultural department.
Weeds by the Wayside.


In recent Issue Of the Cultivator a
correspondent speaks of weeds by the
wayside, and asks, How can the
evil be eradicated?" The question
presented Is one that should command
the attention of every farmer in New
England. Go where you may in the
rural towns, and in too many cases
you find farm after farm well eultivat-
ed perhaps within the fields, with
rough, neglected strips along the way
side, presenting sight at once repel-
liant to the sense of neatness and beau
ty, as well as that of economy. Many
otherwise pretty places are thus disfig-
ured and rendered unattractive by the
farmers In this respect. Often this
part of the farm IL made the receptacle
for snail stones, brush, and other rub
bish that accumulates year after year,
thus increasing instead of diminishing
the evil. In this debris all sorts of
foul weeds flourish, and in their season
send forth their seeds to mingle with
the useful plants in the fertile fields
that have been 50 patiently and laDori-
ously cleared and dressed for use in
growing food for the diligent husband
man, his family, and his stock.
1t must be admitted that noxious
weed absorbs just as much nutriment
from the soil as useful plant, and 1t
occupies space that should contain the
other. Its effects among the crops is
detrimental to their proper develop
ment, and hence farmers must all CO.
incide with the often expressed idea,
that 1t does not pay to grow weeds"
But of what use is 1t to destroy them in
the field, when the strong winds of au-
tumn may carry the matured seeds
from the wayside over acres of cult
waited land, few rods of space thus
neglected by them or their careless
neighbors often undoing the labor Of
hours, sometimes of day.. AS well ex.
pcct to live in a house near some con-
tagious disease with immunity nom
danger, as to think that these neglect
ed roadsides are of no account to farm
ers. They cannot afford, as intelligent
men. to let this matter go on in this
slatternly manner. Something must
be done to improve farmers commune
ties in this respect, and this is the time
and place for suggestions from corre-
spondents. AS has often been remark
ed, example is powerful incentive to
action. All are very likely to fall into
the habits and customs of the people
with whom they are brought in con-
tact, and often, perhaps, are quite un-
conscious Of tia mans very speech
indicating the character of his asso.
ciates.
If Johnny johnson has new patch
upon the seat of his pantaloons, Jimmy
Bumps is instantly seized with desire
to have the same addition upon his
trousers. If John Johnson, Esq, has
had his house painted and his'grounds
improved, Doctor Bumps does not like
to be outdone, and will be likely to
equal or excel the Improvements of his
neighbor. The first step, then. is to
see that ones own way is clear, and
then try and influence his neighbors to
do likewise.
One good. active man may thus be
the means of changing the appearance
of a whole neighborhood. or course
these means will not always be success
full, for there are some tied to the rut-
farmers who are too stupid to take ad-
vantage ofany improvements.
The present. however, Is an excellent
time to pressn, any really good meth
DDS to the farmers for their investiga-
ton, for never has there been so much
intelligent thought and decisive action
among them as in this centennial
year. The oranges have awakened, or,
rather, developed a power In America
that will never die out while there are
people left to till the soil. This is a
time for investigation, and one thing
to be brought before agricultural com
munities Is the subject of clearing
away the road fences, whenever 1t is
possible to do SO. They should then
cultivate to the travelled road avoid
the weeds, save expense in breaking
roads and building fences, and beautify
their farms. Notice the effect wherever
this has been done, and see If IL be not
an advantage. Fence your pastures,
and fence them well; let your neigh
hors do the saAic.-[ BRUsQuE, In Bos-
ton Cultivator.