The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-08-20
DISCRIMINATING Weeds.

But few fields are exempt from all
kinds of weeds. to say nothing of the
coarse and inferior grasses that occupy
the place OF the better heritage. Thus
not only is the quantity of the feed less
ened, and greatly, but the quality is
hurt, the great variety of weeds impart-
ing their faint to the milk; this Is worse
with hay than with pasture, as the obiec-
tlonable flavor is disseminated through
it when in bulk.
What are we to do to get rid of the
weeds? A complete eradication is per-
haps impossible, as the germs are in
the soil. where they often remain un-
harmed, for many years, till some ia
voring condition of the season brings
them forth, not all being influenced
alike, some requiring warm dry weather
10 start them, others appearing under a
lower temperature, but the greater part
responding to heat and moisture COM
bined. Thus weeds will appear what
ever the season or weather, often sur
prising the farmer by their novel and
varying character. 1t is not, therefore,
what the farmer sows that alone occu.
pies his fields; it is these native germs
that often are his greatest annoyance.
The two combined are the result of
what we usually see. Clean seed is an
advantage only as it lessons the crop of
weeds.
The fight then is mainly with what
nature sows and has been sowing for
ages, till the germs have become accli-
mated and toughened SO as to stand the
severest stress of weather, requiring
thus time to do the work of extermina-
ton, If indeed il can be accomplished
at all. Yet the work can be SO con-
Quoted as to meet with little trouble
from the weeds, including the worth
less grasses. First, there must be no
foul seed sOwn; second, distinction
must be made between the dormant
seed and the growing plant The lat
ter, by keeping it excluded from the
light, will perish; frequent blowing will
accomplish this; the fallow and hoed
crops are common means, only work the
entire surface of the soil often enough
so that no weed can appear between the
Workings. As to the dormant seeds, SO
long as they remain inactive all will be
well; and an excellent way to keep them
SO is to grow heavy crops so as to shade
the ground.
What farmers have to do, therefore.
in laying down their grass lands is to
employ the fallow or hoed crops and do
the work thoroughly, getting the ground
enriched and in good order so as to Sc
cure thick set and good growth in |
the start, and keep up the fertility of |
the soil. Where field is badly over
run with weeds turn down the growth,
which affords considerable enrichment |
and fallow the land. A fallow is an ex-
cellent means for disposing of long or |
uhdecomposed manure, taking care not |
to bury it deeply. Grass, if well sus-
tanned. tends to keep down weeds, and |
will overcome most of the foul stuff that |
annoys; this in pasture and in meadows. |
all the more in meadows if two or more |
cuttings are given, which should be the |
case for COW feed, and which may be |
done with the strong growing grasses,
like June or orchard grass, where the
land is kept well enriched and the soil
is not too light or so situated as to get
too much of the suns heat. Land
facing the north is the most favorable
for grass, especially if strong. heavy
soil. If, in addition, the fertility is
kept up the chance is that of perma-
nently established sod, bearing full
crops of grass with little trouble from
weeds.
To engage in a warfare against the
weeds is no small undertaking. When
begun, it must be persisted in, for to
yield, even if but little, is to give new
lease OF life to the pest, new foothold
will be obtained, and the work must be
done over again. 1t may be discourage
ing, but a constant vigilance and effort
must be maintained; this for years, at
least in our old farming lands, which
have been allowed to become foul with
time. But, fortunately. while the work
OF determination is going on, improved
crops all along may be grown, so that
the benefit begins with the warfare
against the weeds. twill not be denied
that work largely expended upon hoed
crops is benefit, both to the soil and
the crop grown. Here is where we have
always failed; we permitted weeds to
occupy the land, and this to an extent
that is found nowhere else on the farm.
Thus corn fields are often choked with
coarse grasses and weeds, which sow
world of seed on ground specially suited
to them. SO among potatoes the largest
weeds are grown. 1t is the same with ..
root crops. And there is no excuse for
this. Put the rows farther apart and
can be continued late enough
TO prevent weeds from ripening, and if
the misunderstanding the surface soil
be frequent and regular, and begun
before any weeds see the light, dating
from the time of blowing, little or no ..
foul stuff will make its appearance.
This is laying out more labor than usual,
save with a few careful and successful I
farmers, yet it pays in the increased
yield of the cultivated crop, to say
nothing of the improvement of the land.
But the fallow is the best means for q
claa r.inr tho Land ...a,.lz;. q