The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-09-17
The Ravenna Grange.

Inc ESaVenna Grange,
The discussion at the regular meeting of the
Ravonna Grange. held last Saturday, on the sub
ect of Weeds. their destruction and their use
as fertilizers" Bro. E. c. Root introduced the
subject by reading the following essay:
Weeds.
weeds weeds Il weeds !! Why this subject
was given me to open a discussion with was
puzzle, until 1 remembered that our worthy
Lecturer" passed by my residence a short time
ago, then it was easy to see why OF all these
patrons was the favored one However, if
our "Worthy Lecturer - had passed this same
farm five years ago she would not even now be
able to forget that front yard of burdocks,
whose lower branches reached above the top
rail. while a single stalk gave protection to
dozen hens from the fercest attack of "'awk,
howl or heagle.'' In all my life 1 never have
had but one way TO get rid of weeds. and that
was to root {Root) them out. OF the different
kinds of weeds, those are dreaded most which
take the most trouble TO destroy them; for in
stance. the Canada thistle requires years of
patient toll. while teasel can be eXterminated |
in three years by simply cutting before the seed |
ripens and when the stalk is hollow.
once took piece of land to SOW to wheat |
which had stood idle all summer and was COW
cred with ragweed. stick-tights and other
weeds three feet high; soil. clay. Result-a
good crop do not consider the weeds to have
been any benefit 10 the crop. only as they furn-
ished an underdrain and saved the wheat from
heaving out with the frost. Weeds which have
come upon newly seeded ground iwheat or oat
| stubble) should be cut before the seed is ripe
| and left to mulch the clover,
The road fence is haven for weeds; if the
| fence were removed along the meadow and
plow lands by moving and cropping, the weeds
| would suffer to the farmers benefit The gold
en- od.whleh has become the emblematic flower
of America.we of Portage still consider a weed,
| while "Ashtabula " with no more patriotism
but perhaps moro zeal, "has raised boquet as
big as peck measure for each resident in Ohio,
and also reduced the land valuation one-third !"
How many OF you, dear patrons. while labor
ing day by day to destroy the weeds upon your
farms, are still encouraging the use of that
worst of all weeds, tobacco which, while not
often destroying life. is still undermining the
health and strength of so many of our young
men. Iwould not be a true Granger did 1 speak
only of those weeds which trouble us during the
brief season Of our lives, and make no mention
of the weeds of sin. which by allowing them a
place, mar our whole future. Let each exam
inc his own heart-do you fnd there envy,
hatred, Jealousy. deceit. ana kindred passions?
z They are weeds pluck them out even though
the good be trampled upon and crushed Shall
5 we say of our soul. Let the wheat and tares
grow together until the harvest?n Nay, Ies
the tares choke out the wheat and our soul bt
/ lost. Be careful in your planting that you have
good seed, for whatsoever man soweth ,tha
shall he also reap''
The Worthy Lecturer said it was not the seein,
of so many weeds upon Mr.. Roots place, bu
rather the absence of them. that led her to seIec
S him for essayiEt upon this subject.
r Mr.. Waldron said the only way to destroy som
II weeds was to take them out by the root. Wit
" many of them cutting off just below the surfac
l. OF the ground was sufficient, while with SOM
e such as the dandelion and Canada thistle, it wa
A necessary to remove the entire root as any pal
rs Of it left in the ground would send up a ne
ID shoot. Then do not follow the bad, not to sa
N mean, practice of carrying the tops into the roa
it. My practice is to burn them.
lie MIR. Bartlett said that the narrow leaved doc
to had given him considerable trouble, but he WI
IN slowly conquering them by blowing and diggir
Id them up and hanging them the fence
ed Mr.. Ford said that weed had been defined
ly a plant out of place. By thick seeding an othe
er wise useful plant may become a weed. The nou
III ishment which should receive is thus divide
ne between two. and neither is a success. It h
ed been said that weeds were made for some got
n purpose. but am unable to see any good to con
to from the abundant crop of weeds which ha'
ho taken possession of my strawberry beds viii,
no were thoroughly cleaned out some weeks ag
ey 1t is great trouble to eradicate DOCKS if "
&C. will put enough labor upon them.
mt Question. by a member: How long will
or take to eradicate them?''
is Not more than two or three years to get rid
er the original plants. But many varieties of we
ly seed will remain in the ground for many yea
if buried deep enough. without growing. al
ir- without losing their vitality. When they are
OF any means. brought to the surface of the groul
H. and other surroundings are favorable. they W
NJ germinate and form vigorous plants. 1t is II
lot fact which makes it so hard for us to conqu
some kinds of weeds. Many weeds are bienni
and die at the end of the second seasons growt
These may be conquered by never allowing the
to go to seed. One Patch of Canada thistles W
destroyed by pulling every plant that appear
soou after coming through the ground for t.
he years. Another patch in pasture lot, was co
ho quered in one season by frequent cutting a
nj throwing salt for the cattle plentifuly up
them. I do not dread daisies as do som farme
ro- Plenty of grass seed upon well enriched lar
of will grow crop of grass sufficiently heavy
lie, hold them in check. Cut at the right time. th
the make fair quality of hay. Neither they I
nj. ragweed will cause COWS to give bitter milk.
some suppose.
of Mr.. Bartlett does not altogether agree with \
as Ford's definition. He considers a weed not OF
Di- plant out of place. but plant much more ter
OF. cious of life than our cultivated plants A clo7
: plant in corn field, or an extra stalk of corn
on hill. may bs plant out of place, but we do
to consider either as weed, inasmuch asst is rea
on. lyremoved and will not bother us but one seas
rem if left to grow.
ing MI Mcintosh believes that the best time
destroy weeds is before they appear above
ground. The newly sprouted seed is easily
stroyed. while each days growth makes the t
more difficult. By cultivating frequently he
able to keep the crops practically free fr
weeds. He is fearful that plantain is to beco
very troublesome, as it is getting footholG
many places, and asked for the best method
destroying it. No practicable means was s
gested except to dig them out.
Several spoke of conquering Canada thistles
the same means as given by Mr. Ford.
In regard to the use of weeds as fertilizers.
Ford said that the crop of weeds which Mr..
plowed uder were undoubtedly of much ben
to the following crop. Any green crop that gr
if pIowed down is of benefit to the land in
nishing fertility, and also in its mechanical act
upon the soil. We use clover for this purr
because it is a clean plant and not liable to
come nuisance.
Mr.. Root said that he still believes that tt
is very little good in weeds as fertilizer We
grow in tho surface soil. very few of them s
their roots deep into the earth to bring up
fertility from the subsoiI as does clover. Nj
over. most weeds have sour or bitter juice IN
in contrast with the sweetness of clover 7
may be of some little use, but the ground VIC
be better not to have grown them.
A Five Years Warranty with every FisC
Piano Parties interested would do vel
examine. t. f. THoMPso
n as
U