The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-09-08
Weeds In Pastures and Meadows.

A subject which has received little
attention, but which is of great impor-
lance, and would we'll repay for all the
labor required. is the wedding of grass
fields. No one expects to succeed with
the boed crops without giving great
deal of attention to the destruction of
all kinds of weeds which may make
their appearance. Yet in moving fields
few give this subject any attention, and
it is common sight to see fields in
tested and disfgured with the ox-eye
daisy, yellow daisy, thistles, docks, and
a great many other kinds of worthless
plants that, by little care and timely
labor, might have been easily eradica-
ted, improving both the appearance of
the field and the quality of the hay.
The ox-eye daisy is q perennial plant;
yet if it is not allowed to ripen its seed,
the vitality of the root is soon exhaust
ed, and it will disappear. Some claim
that if kept closely cut it will not sur
vive more than two years. The writer
has cleaned a roadside, which was COW
cred with it, by repeated cuttings and
not allowing the seed to ripcn. Some
times the cutting was done q number of
times i'll a season, and now only here
and there a plant makes its appearance.
In wet season like the present, docks
may be pulled up by the roots. but in a
dry season it will be found nearly i'm
possible to do so. Thistles are q great
nuisance, but may be reduced, and in
many cases killed, by cutting two or
three times in q season. Then if the
land is heavily manured, SO that q
heavy. crop of grass is encouraged to
grow, they will be seriously checked, if
not entirely destroyed. No plant can
long survive constant. aud close cutting,
as the root soon becomes exhausted un-
less the top is allowed to grow and
draw nutriment from the atmosphere,
and thistles are no exception to the
rule. The great trouble is that people
make no effort to prevent their growth.
but complain of their presence and
spread.
There are great many other plants
and weeds which make their appear
ance in the fields, which should be de-
stroyed. and not be allowed to draw
the strength from the soil, or injure the
quality OF the hay. Clean fields are an
ornament to any farm, and reject ia
vorably on the character of the farmer.
They may be made and kept so by .
little judicious labor done at the right
time. Hedge rows, no one who lays
any claim to being farmer will toler.
ate at all. They should be rooted out,
and the land placed under cultivation
clear up to the fence. Agood practice,
which is becoming more general every
year, is to NOW the roadside and waste
places. and not allow any noxious plant
to 60 to seed. Last year for the first
time noticed that number Of railroad
companies cut everything between the
fences the entire length Of their roads.
Along railroads and highways have
been the most productive sources Of
weed seeds, which have been scattered,
without hindrance, to the adjoining
cultivated fields. It is great .encour-
agement to good farmers to see these
measures taken to prevent the ripening
and spread Of foul seeds TO cultivated
lands. 1t would not be q bad plan for
agricultural societies to offer premiums
for the best Ind cleanest grass fieldl.-
Gu: Country Gentis1nan,