Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-11
WEEDS SPREAD IN MAN WAYS
A e Borne Long Distances by
Wind, Water, in Farm Prod
uce and in Manure.

There are many ways in which the
weeds are distributed. Sometimes, as
in the case of peoples and thistles, they
are borne long distances by the wind.
In other cases they may be sown over
the land with bad seed, or may be con-
| taihed in the manure which has been
spread thereon.
There is little doubt that many of
those mysterious outbreaks of weeds
upon farms have their origin in the
manure heap. All the rubbish which
is cleaned out of bitches or from dirty
places is carted to the manure heap.
But it does not necessarily die there.
and presently finds it's way back to
the land again. Moreover grazing ami
mails consume many of the weeds, and
others in the stall eat them in their
hay, but the seeds of such weeds pos
sess enormous vitality and pass
through the body unframed, and so out
| to the manure heap.
AS soon as we have grasped the man
ner in which weeds are distributed we
can devise methods for their suppress
SION The most obvious is, of course,
to prevent them from seeding. When
it is recognized that an ordinary char
lock plant produces more than 1000
and poppy at least 100000 seeds the
Importance of prevention of seeding is
self-evident.
Imperfecty cleaned seed should never
be bought. AS it is difficult even for
the expert to tell the seeds of many
lweeds--such as the dodder-seed should
never be purchased from any but re-
liable seedsmen. Deep blowing, by way
of burying the weeds, is often bene-
fetal. Many, however, merely remain
dormant under these conditions and
are eventually brought to the surface.
Shallow cultivation and good filth
are more advisable, when the seeds will
be encouraged to terminate and may
then be destroyed.
The destruction of perennials, such
as couch or bindweed is more difficult.
These are propagated by underground
runners, and the best treatment is shall
low blowing and thorough cultivation,
the weeds being collected and burned.
Hand pulling and digging with fork and
spade are also efficient methods.
Judicious cutting will destroy weeds,
, but ill-timed cutting may only encour-
, age them. Many weeds cut near the
ground send up new stems, which
, weaken the plant, and If the process is
, repeated their complete destruction is
the result. Some weeds, such as rush
! or horsetail, are indicative of wet soil
and can only be eradicated by proper
+ draining. Close feeding with sheep will
check many weeds, while spraying with
sulphate of copper has been found ex-
ceedingy efficacious in the case OF
! weeds among grain crops.
Proper dressings Of manure and arti-
Y fcials will effect considerable change
f in the character Of a pasture, and
s therefore, in the weeds. heterogeneous
o manures stimulate the useful grasses
e which are then capable of heading of
q and choking the weeds. The sour con.
f dition of soil can be remedied by
e dressings of lime, which is specific
against sorrel and wheat marigold
:. The application of a light dressing O.
: basic Stag on wet clay land produce!
a a wonderful effect on such land by en-.
It couraging clover and improving thu
v heritage generally.-W. r. Gilbert.