Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-08-25
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Don't Let the Weeds Mature Their Seed

If the injunction contained in the heading
of this brief article, is too late, in reaching
the readers of the FARMER, to be practically
available this season, it is not, the writer
hopes, too late for something to be done in
the direction Of remedying the grievOus err
ror, too often committed by all who have
land to cultivate, small in extent though it
may be,-that of allowing weeds, of various
name and nature, to mature and scatter their
seed and thus perpetuate themselves thous-
and fold.
A thousand fold, 1 said but thousand
plants from the seeds Of one well.ripened
is far less than truthful statement Of what
actually takes place. l applehend that
many of us would be greatly iastouished to
ascertain the actual number Of plants that
would or might spring forth next year from
one pig weed, allowed to ripen and scatter
its seed in garden or field this year.
1t is accepted as sound teaching that he
is public benefactor who makes two blades
Of grass grow where only one has grown before.
Not less does he benefit the world who allows
but few, if any, weeds to grow and mature
where many did before. 1t is most surpris-
ing to see the Indifference and neglect, in re-
gard to this important subject, even by those
who would feel offended if not allowed to be
ranked among good farmers.
Riding to Montpelier, recently, in com.
pany with friend, we passed field, evident
ly rich and fertile, in which it remained q
problem unsolved by US for some time,
whether anything was growing there but
weeds. Before the field was entirely passed
it became apparent that weeds aud potatoes
had been struggling, through heat and cold
through storm and sunshine, for the control
of the ground-for supremacy, and that thC
weeds were indisputably masters of the sit
uation. This, to be sure was an aggravated
aud rather unusual case; but an hours ride
in almost any direction, would show, even to
the casual observer, similar cases, only no
quite 50 much so.
Why will people be so shiftless or unwise
as to allow weeds to rob their crops Of their
legitimate nourishment2 Couldn't ge
round to it"-"had 80 much other work, haC
to let it CO." are some of the excuses behind
which they will attempt to hide themselves
when the condition of their unwed field
makes them ashamed. Then make YOU
field Of less extent. Cultivate only wha
you can take care of. Wage a war Of ex
termination against weeds. Let none escap,
to ripen their seed, and curse the grounC
through coming years. If any do escape
and carry their seed to the terminating stage
carry them from the ground-burn them
put them where the seed can get into man
ure that is to be used only as top-dressine
for grass land-throw the noxious things Of
the dock-do anything with them that shal
save your plowed fields from being curse,
by their progeny; and those who shall cul
tivate these fields, in coming years, "shal
rise up and call you blessed"
"The evil that men do, lives after them,
is most emphatically true with regard t
the evil-the sin of allowing weeds to ri
pen and scatter their seeds. Don't you b.
guilty Of it.
d T. AYERILL