Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-07-16
Weeds.


raj Experiment Station has an interest,"
ing article on weeds, detailing the inves-
LEGATIONS made in 1884 in regard to the
weedy plants of the state. The station
made three points of special considera>
tion, viz: Methods of dissemination an0
propagation, habits of growth and dura-
ton of life, and best methods of destruc-
tiOn.
To obtain an idea of the number of
seeds perfected by single plants of the
common weeds growing in Central Ohio,
the following counts were made:
One plant of Shepherds Purse (Cap1
sella Bursa-pastoris) bore $500 seeds.
One plant of dandelion (Taraxacum
Densleonis). 12,lO3 seeds. Wild pepper
grass Uepidium Virginicum) 1S,4O0
seeds. Corn Cromwell or wheat thief
Iithospernum arvense) 1000 seeds.
Common thistle, 65,366 seeds. Chamo>
mile, 1880 seeds. Butter weed, velvet
leaf, or Indian mallow, 1851 seeds. Rag
weed. 4.366 seeds. Common purslane,
3Ss,sOO seeds! Common plantain, Al, 3,29O
seeds. Burdock, 3s,0s6 seeds.
1t will surprise the reader, no doubt,
to learn that of the 1S2 weedy plants
that are troublesome in this State, lis
came from Europe, which shows the
agency of man in the distribution of
seeds. They come in various ways, in
packing material.in products of different
kinds, etc., and when they have once
gained foothold in this country, are
rapidly disseminated. One method of
distribution is by sowing weed seeds
with grass and grain crops. In this con-
nectien the station calls attention to the
fact that samples of seeds sent to it will
be examined free of cost, and the nature
and percentage of impurities promptly
reported. Another prolific source of
dissemination is in stable manure. The
remedy for this lies in composing. As
to remedies, they have already been i'm
dicated. Use every precaution against
seeding to weeds, then cultivate clean.
Never allow weeds to breathe, which is
done only through the leaves. One inn
portant item is omitted in this connec
tion. Most of the farmers cultivate crops
all right throHgh the beginning of the
season, until, in popular language, they
are "laid by" after which weeds are al
lowed full liberty. There are many
troublesome species that grow and MAJ
ture seed during this latter part of the
season, to the injury of the crop and the
great annoyance of the farmer, rendering
the labor of harvesting much greater
than it would be if these weeds were
kept down. Fence corners, roadsides,
and other neglected places are seed beds
for all troublesome weeds, ON most of
farms. A recent writer thinks it will be
great blessing to the country when the
old worm fence has passed away, for
this reason alone. 1t is the duty of the
supervisor to keep weeds cut down on
roadsides, in this State, but it is done,
only where popular sentiment backs up
the law and keeps private grounds clean.
1t is exceedingly difficult for one man
alone to keep his grounds clean of weeds,
but united effort on the part of al en-
tire community, continued vigorously
for a few years, would rid the land of
most of the foul seeds and plants.
We have frequent inquiries in regard
to the best methods of exterminating
such pests as Canada thistle, etc., that
spread rapidly by creeping subterranean
stems, as well as by seeds, and if unmo-
lested soon take possession of the soil.
"a stitch in time," with these pests,
saves many times the proverbial nine.
Upon their first appearance they ara cas-
lily eradicated. One of our corresponds
ents pulled up by root the entire patch
of Canada thistles. first year, and had no
more trouble. The second year this can
not be done, but while the patch is still
within bounds the pest can be eradicated
without plowing up, by keeping the
plants from developing leaves for two
seasons. A reader of The Farmer cut
the plants off just below the surface of
the ground and applied a handful of salt,
and it proved effective. Another had his
threshing done near the patch of Canada
thistles and piled the straw over it sew
eral feet thick. which cleaned them out,
of course. But after the plant becomes
established, and has sent its creeping
underground stems everywhere. over a
considerable area, the only practical
method is to plow it up, put in some crop
that requires constant culture, and keepl
it under plow, cultivator and hoe for tw O
or three years.-Ohio Farmer.