The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-07-14
PREVENTION AND
DETERMINATION
OF WEEDS.
BY DR.. W. J. BEkL,
OF THE MICHIGAN AGRI-
CULTURAL COLLEGE.

~ HE naDltS OF weed determine
to a great extent the best mode
Of lighting it. Certain remedi 6
suggest themselves for creeping pes
ennials, like Quack grass and toad
fax, while different treatment is best
for narrow-leaved dock; and still a
different mode of attack may be
adopted for crab grass and purslane.
Weeds are ANNALS, as pigweeds,
crap grass, purslane; biennials
as bull thistle and mulleins; peren-
malls. like quack grass, Canada thistle,
ox-eye daisy.
The annual cost of successfully
fighting a weedy farm OF 100 acres
has been found to be about $75 Good
cultivation in the long run pays a
greater profit than slipshod culture.
1t not only kills the weeds, but keeps
the soil in condition for securing coed
crops. 1t conserves moisture.
Perennial plants cannot gain any
If the green leaves are not allowed
to appear. The nourishment stored
In the root stocks underground will
aid the plant to send up slender
leaves, and IL these remain, the plants
start underground and are cut off be-
fore coming to the light, these root
stocks are drawn on again to furnish
food to start more leaves and thus
in time become exhausted.
The following are some modes Of
preventing the introduction of weeds
and few rules for their extermina-
ton:
/. The right kind Of man, who
will carefully observe and study the
kinds of weeds and their habits, fl 2ht-
ing each to the best advantage, /. e.,
with method.
2. See that all seeds purchased or
grown at home for seed are free from
seeds of weeds. Although often
heard, thse words are too little heed
ed.
3. See that threshing machines,
hay racks, grain bags from other
farms are we'll cleaned before used on
the farm.
A. Cook or grind screenings and
burn chair when certain weeds are
suspected.
3. Send seeds to the Agricultural
college, East Lansing. for Identified
ton, unless they are known to be
harmless.
6. Strive to prevent weeds from
ripening seeds.
Z. For meadow or pasture make
the soil very fertile, as most weeds
will then be killed OF crowded by
the better grass and become Of little
account.
s. Modify the rotation of crops
with reference to killing the weeds.
9. Make a speciality of ,hoed or cul-
tivated crops.
TO- Make soiling crops a promi
nent feature in certain fields.
IL. Smother weeds with quick
growing and thickly seeded crops, like
red clover or rye or buckwheat.
IL. Keep some crops growing on
land from early spring till late au-
tumn-double cropping, 1. e., two cul-
tivated crops in one year for barn and
cellar instead OF one for use and one
Of weeds.
10. Cultivate thoroughly after a
crop Is removed.
IA. Clean up and avoid leaving any
vacant or out of the way places for
breeding ground.
is. Where practicable, remove
fences and cultivate to the cutters
Of the highway.
16. Keep some sheep.
II. When once begun, continue the
work thoroughly from year to year,
giving no quarter to weeds. This is
the easiest in the long run and the
royal way.
Is. Where hand labor is employed,
it is far less expensive and much
easier to keep weeds down by raling
or hoeing once a week than by going
over the ground much less frequent
ly.