Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-10-17


the rightful plants of their nour-
ishment, says Prof. B. D. Halstead,
who has made study OF weeds
and their treatment. This work
does not begin until the young
plant establishes its roots in the SOIL
and has spread it's leaves in the air ana
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 TOT
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 ali 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. 1t 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
of <hAv, nd n
great deal of torture, but it is the only
general way.
There Is no panacea for weeds, moth
ing that can be put on a field to kill
them, unless it be full and proper ap-
plication of that which, for the lack of
a better and neater name, is called EEL
| bow-grease." This will not only kill
| the weeds, but also improve the culti-
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 weed. If one, for ex.
ample. removes the large cup-likt
| flower cluster of the carrot there viii
soon be half dozen to take it's place
and hurry matters. in seeming fear thai
they may share the same fate before
the seeds are matured. If weed get.
a late start, it spends very little tim,
on stem building, but blossoms almos
from the soil, and puts all its energie.
into the perfection of it's seeds and tn,
continuation of it's species. A "pusley
plant will. if left to itself for few
days, ripen million seeds, and do i
without ostentatiOn.
Much depends upon the destruction O
the last weed. If 500 are killed and tn
thousandth one left to enjoy the su
pGior advantages which the destruc
ton of the others has given, it may b.
worse than if all had lived an,
struggled with each other through al
imperfect growth. One well-growl
and heavily-seeded weed will leave
large legacy for evil in a rich field. l
is the few weeds that are left in tn
cornfields that, having had the best op
portunities, do the mischief and con
tinue the pests.
Weed seeds have remarkable wa
of disseminating themselves On
farmer, by every means in his power
roots out the cursed Canada thistle
while an adjoining field may be Target
devoted to the propagation of thi
prickly pest. The thistle seeds ar
provided with miniature balloons. b
means of which they are carried b.
the lightest winds and will find a ia
vorable place to grow in the well-tille
field of the thrifty farmer Therefore
in the determination of these pest
there mus. be an earnest and concerte
action.