Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-08-31
KnIlnr weed. In Autumn.

In American farming losses from weeds are
beyond computation There is hardly a sin
gle farm crop that is not diminished by weeds
The slightest observations must convince any
persons acquainted with farming that weed
growth saps the whole industry, reduces it's
profits and threatens farther damage as weeds
gain the ascendency, and to this they are
coming in many of the most fertile districts
of the country The time is approaching
when organized warfare will be made against
the intruders, or, in the older portions Of the
country, farming will cease TO be a profitable
industry. 1t is time now to institute such
warfare. There comes a period after harvest
and fall seeding when well-directed efforts
toward weed destruction are reasonably sure
to be rewarded by fair measure of success
The custom of sowing grass seed with grain
crops interferes il is true, with the destruc-
ton Of weeds because the grass seeding is of
too much value to be wasted, and it is, there.
fore, suffered to take its chances with harder
growth much to the detrmeut of the moro
valuable crop.
What can be done with weeds in the au
tumn months applies mainly to stubble fields
not seeded. 1t is true something may be &C
complshed in meadows where fall growth
permits the use of a scythe but nothing like
thorough work can be done except in fields
where blowing is permitted. Efforts should
of seeds and subsequent destruction. To ef-
feet this, stubble fields should be plowed rs
soon as possible after the crops are removed
and every encouragement given TO the growth
of weeds then with the harrow, or any Of
the improved cultvators, complete destruc
ton Of all the weeds that appear above the
surface is possible After this is effected an
other blowing will make the work more thor
ough because seeds that in the first place had
not the requisite conditions of termination
may have them provided, aud the growth de-
stroyed by freezing or spring growth by the
harrow. 1t is true this plan will not cleanse
the ground thoroughly, but it will reduce
crops of weeds materially.
The only means of thorough and complete
destruction is the summer fallow, and this
unfortunately, is not in favor with farmers,
because, as they allege, it wtndraws the
ground too long from use. At this season it
is not worth while to enter into argument to
prove that summer following is the best
means of weed destruction, because this means
is not now available. The nearest approach
to it, however, is the best method that may
be employed now Thus blowing and har
rowing, the process repeated so long as it
brings results, that is to say, SO long as the
seeds OF weeds germina!e, is the best way to
direct operations in autumn.
The main question for consideration is the
Importance OF destroying weeds in order that
their interference with more profitable crops
may be prevented In some cases it will help
materially to drag the ground raw to induce
vegetation of seeds, then drag to destroy
growth. Any way, no matter what, anything
that effects the object is commendable, but
that which will do the most work at least cost
is best.
When we reflect upon the abstracted fertil-
ity lost in production of weeds the space oc.
cupied by pernicious growth the reduction of
yield in all grain crops through interference
of weeds, the necessity of destruction appears
clearly. This is the first thing by which the
mind must be impressed before organized
warfare begins. Perhaps it is within the
truth to say that in the older states where
weeds obtained ascendency the profits of far.
ming are reduced one half through their prev.
alence. If this be true the importance of ef.
fecting their destruction is very great In any
case weedy ground ceases to be valuable in
farming in exactly the proportion that weeds
take up the plant food and occupy space that
should be taken by more profitable crops.
When American farmers apply thought to
this question they will see the Importance of
beginning efforts for weed destruction and
continuing them until their farms are practi-
caly clear from weed growth - HlsbIu6tgJ,