The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-05-31
A Blessing in Disguise.

1t is a superficial view that looks upon
weeds and brambles as a curse to the
soil and great expense or damage to
the husbandman. They are like the
trials and temptations that beset us in
the path of life; in resisting and strug-
Cling to overcome the evil, we become
stronger and more fully developed in
our moral and intellectual natures. So
when we turn or stir the soil to kill the
weeds to keep them from choking the
tender plant, we do just what the crop
needs to give it vigOr and open the soil
to fructifying influence of the sun and
atmosphere. Labor, considered mis-
fortune, as an evil to be dreaded, Is
still help to mankind. Diligent and
frequent cultivation for the destruction
of enemies of the soil-few have ever
learned the full benefit of it to promote
development of vegetable growth. The
more we nurse and fertilize the land,
the better it will pay the expense, and
when we do all the work profitable to
our crops we shall not be troubled with
weeds.
These reflections were suggested by a
plaintive note of inquiry from a reader
of the Tribune as to show to kill out
rag-weed F." Some fifteen years ago that
plant arrived in this locality, from
whence I know not but it was first
seen along our highways. Farmers
were much troubled about it, thinking
that it would Overrun the fields. We
soon found that moving was of little
use, for it would seed below the scythe-
cut sufficient for another crop. When
it spread from rOadsides, it seemed
satisfied to occupy our fields after the
grain was harvested, doing no damage
but to check the grass on new seeding
and make the land look very filthy.
Summer-fallOwing for wheat was then
the common practice, and 1T seemed
best adapted to spread this weed, for
the seed does not mature till fall, and
will lie in the ground till spring, and
viii be hardly seen till fall after the
wheat is removed. But, like many in
sects that come in great numbers at first
and then gradually disappear, the rag
weed has been decreasing for several
years, though probably on account of a
change in our system of farming.
Nearly all our wheat is now so7vn fol-
lowing a spring crop, and i rotation OF
/ crops is generally adopted which de-
stroys all annual weeds by thorough
tillage And that is the way to destroy
/ rag-weed CROUCH cultivation and q
rotation of crops. Plant corn, follow
the next season with oats, turn in the
/ stubble as soon as the crop is harvested,
and before any seeds mature. and fiji
/ well for wheat; then seed to grass Il
| lay down one or two years, this course
/ to be repeated. Under this system Nc
annual weeds viii give any trouble.
now regard rag-weed as no more
/ troublesome than the common pig
weed; it is just as easily killed and nc
/ more damaging to crops when allowed
! to grow, but neither should be allowed
/ to grow to the injury of crops. The mar
who cultivates his land to the extent
beneficial to crops will not be troubled
with foul weeds of any kind 1t is the
slipshod or halfway tillage that enables
weeds, drouth and other causes to rot
the farm of profitable returns.-F p
Root, an n. T. Tribune.