Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-09-05

The rightful plants Of their nour-
1shment, says Prof. B. D. Halstead,
who has made a study Of weeds
and their treatment. This work
does not begin until the young
plant establishes its roots in the SOIL
and has spread its leaves in the air and
sunshine. If the weed is killed before
this point is reached, double work Is
done, the theft has been prevented, ana
the weed is killed. The termination OF
the seed has provided the condition for
easy destruction that would not have
obtained had the plantlet remained
snugly enveloped by the seed-coats'
One Of the best methods Of Kidding
soil Of weeds is to arrange for rapid
wholesale termination Of the weed
seeds, after which the young plants
should be promptly killed.
But all weeds are not ANIMALS; and
II the soil is filled with those that live
from year to year, other methods of ex-
termination must be followed. Weeds
get their living in the same way as
other plants-they need to have room in
the soil for their roots, and space in
the air and sunlight for the stems and
leaves. Cut them off from these sources
Of food, and the means Of performing
the vital functions, and death sooner
or later must follow. It is evident that
repeated removals Of the portion above
ground will continually weaken the
plant, and If to this is added an Occa-
sional upturning Of the roots, the weeds
must die. Some Of them will stand
great deal of torture, but it is the only
general way.
There is no panacea for weeds, moth
Ing that can be put on field to kill
them, unless 1t be a full and proper ap-
plication Of that which, for the lack of
better and heater name, Is called EEL
bow-grease." This will not only kill
the weeds, but also improve the cult
waited crops.
1t is beyond reasonable expectation
that all annual weeds will be either
killed in the seed or soon after germi-
nation; some dodge the hoe, while
others will be missed by the rake. The
next best thing is to keep them from
seeding. The perfection Of crop of
seeds is the end and aim Of the whole
existence Of a weed. If one, for ex-
ample, removes the large cup-like
flower cluster Of the carrot, there will
soon be a half dozen to take it's place
and hurry matters, in seeming fear that
they may share the same fate before
the seeds are matured. If weed gets
a late start, 1t spends very little time
on stem building, but blossoms almost
from the soil, and puts all its energies
into the perfection Of its seeds and the
continuation of its species. A "pusley"
plant will. If left to itself for a few
days, ripen a million seeds, and do it
without ostentation.
Much depends upon the destruction of
the last weed. If 500 are killed and the
thousandth one left to enjoy the SUI
perior advantages which the destruc-
ton Of the others has given, it may be
worse than II all had lived and
struggled with each other through an
imperfect growth. One well-grown
and heavily-seeded weed will leave
large legacy for evil in a rich field. 1t
Is the few weeds that are left in the
cornfelds that, having had the best op-
portunities, do the mischief and con-
tlnue the pests.
Weed seeds have a remarkable way
Of disseminating themselves. One
farmer, by every means in his power,
roots out the cursed Canada thistle,
while an adjoining field may be largely
devoted to the propagation of this
prickly pest The thistle seeds are
provided with miniature balloons, by
means Of which they are carried by
the lightest winds and will find IA
vorable place to grow in the well-tilled
field Of the thrifty farmer. Therefore,
in the determination of these pests
there mus. be an earnest and concerted
action.