The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-04-24
THE NOXIOUS WEED PROBLEM.

THE NOXIOUS WEED PROBLEM.
The law of this state requires all
land owners TO destroy all noxious
weeds on such lands between the first
day of June and the fifteenth day of
August. The weeds included in this
provision are the Canadian thistle,
cockle-burr, mustard. wild oats,
French weed and Russian thistle. The
law further provides that such weeds
shall be moved and the soil summer
fallowed or the weeds pulled and
burned as often as will effectually
prevent them from bearing seed dur
ing the time specified"
1t would seem that there should be
no occasion for such law, especial
ly in state wholly devoted to agri-
culture. 1t only proves the statement
SO often made, however, that the farm
ers are their own worst enemies.
Noxious weeds on a farm not only
indicate slothful methods but are de-
cided money losers to the owner.
There can be but a certain number
of plants grown on a specified area,
and while the old theory about max
ing two stalks of wheat grow where
one formerly grew has been made a
IN &c <o; fh.S
stock cannot grow where one weed
stock does. Every weed allowed to
develop on the farm deprives the land
of the opportunity of sustaining just
that number of grain stocks.
The seed of these weeds are thresh-
ed with the grain and must be remov-
ed at considerable expense, or else go
to reduce the grade of the grain on
the market. thereby depreciating the
market value.
1t is therefore evident that the law
only requires the individual to do that
which he should do because of the
benefits to be derived from it indvidu-
ally,
The lawmakers evidently had some
other purpose in view when they
framed the law. This was the pro-
lection of the progressive and indus
trious farmer against the injuries
which come from the careless and I'M
progressive methods of his fellow
agriculturalists.
The incubation of the adjacent
farms from the seed that the elements
distribute makes it almost impossible
to keep any farm in close proximity
to the seed source. free from the pest.
The law provides that in case any
owner or occupier of land shall fail
or refuse to comply with the require
ments of the statute, the board of
county commissioners shall proceed
to destroy such weeds, and shall have
the amount of the same ascertained
by proper legal process, and the
amount when SO ascertained becomes
lien upon the land and may be en-
forced either by sale or taxes on the
land and collected.
Under these provisions of the law
there is no reason why any farmer
in the state should have his property
injured by the carelessness or neglect
of his shiftless neighbor. The county
commissioners are required to act In
the. matter and have the weeds de-
stroyed If. the land owner fails to do
80 within ten days after the expira-
ton Of the legal period.
II the county commissioners should
fail or refuse to do so, a mandamus
would certainly lie to compel them to
act. It is true that litigation, especial
ly for the farmer, is not. as a rule,
profitable business to engage in. but
in case like this the ends would GER
tainly Justify the means.
A few heroic cases in court would
have salient effect upon the COM
munity and the people who refuse to
comply with the law would have
more wholesome regard for it.