The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-01-21

prosper-let it be the weed. The farm
er should know the conditions neces-
sary for it's natural development as
nearl vas possible. Knowing these he
may prepare conditions for the crop
plant in such a manner as to be most
propitious for the growth of the crop
and most adverse to the demands of
the weed.
Habit of Weeds.
The term habit" is used advisedIy.
II is a good term to apply to the life
characteristics and growth characters
of weeds and disease producing para
living thing, one which not only has
peculiar characteristics of it's own but
is liable to form others or to change
already developed characters. The word
also indicates that when these char
acters are once formed after a long
process Of years they are difficult to
change. Indeed, it is not likely that
such habits will change or be modified
quickly. This is why the farmers
should study the life habits of the weed
and diseases which attack the crops.
These plants and parasites have learn
ed to live in a particular sort of way
and canot readily change. If, therefore,
thee rop plant can stand conditions of
culture or Of seed treatment. or live
upon soils of a particular type while
the weed or the parasite under consid-
Grafton demands other conditions, then
It is easy for the farmer to make con-
ditions which will favor the crop and
tend to eradicate or destroy the weed
or parasite. For example some weeds
love dry land, some can live only in
very wet or poorly drained lands. Some
kinds form heavy seeds only. Others
rely for their distribution principally
upon underground jointed parts. Some
rely wholly upon seed which are blown
by the wind, others upon seed which
are carried by animals, as for example.
burs. Some owe their existence to
their water loving habits and the pro-
duction of seeds which float Some
cause their chief injury because they
have assumed so closely all of the char
acteristic habits Of the farm crop thar
one experiences great difficulty in flnd-
ing some one feature by which they
may be attacked. Such weeds may be
said to have the cultivation habit.
They win be found to fit into nearly all
of the conditions or characteristics of
the ordinary cultivated farm crop. A
few examples under these headings
will illustrate:
Sand and Gravel Lovers-Dry Land
Habit: Russian thistle, tumbling mus
tard. sand bur, grab grass. tickle grass,
white tunble-weed, sorrel, dock. Pre-
vent seed formation.
Heavy Land Plants-Lovers of Poorly
Drained Areas: Barnyard grass, water
hemlocl5, marsh elder, sunfiower, scour-
ing rush of horsetail. the smart-weeds.
the minis, the docks, kinghead or
greater ragweed, beggar ticks, etc.
Drain the land. Grow grass. etc.
Flood Land Weeds-Seed Floaters:
Wild oats. pigeon-gr wild barley,
French weed, kinghead. ragweed. SUM
flower, cockel-bur. smartweed. wild
buckwheat and the various docks.
Prevent seed formation and overfiows
Of water.
The Drifters-Win Blown Plants
wild barley. witch grass, Russian pig
weed Russian thistle, tumble weed.
French weed. dandelion. mflkweed,
thistle, etc. Prevent seed formation by
MOVING, SpFdyiIlBt otG.
Weeds Distributed by Animals: Sand
burs, wild barley, witch grass. tumble
weed. stick tights, buffalo bur, cookie
bur, burdock. beggar ticks, etc. Pre-
vent seed formation. graw grass, etc.
These various examples illustrate
chiefly them ode of seed distribution
but to certain extent indicate also the
sort Of ground and the conditions UNI
der which the ythrive best. It is APP
parent thar in many cases laws for the
regulation Of trade in seeds, forage,
food stuffs, ETC., may help but cannot
avail much against such weeds unless
the moral sentiment of the farming
districts is against the men who allow
weeds Of such type to mature and BIOS
som.
The Seed Forming or Root Forming
Habit.
Canada thistle, sow-thistle. quack-