Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-07-15

cultivated plats sooner than on the Gull
tlVated ones. where the number of hoe
inss and civilizations. respectively,
We're the same: SO that at harvest time
tne uncultiyated plats were quite free
from weed growth and the cultivated
pats were more or less weedy. This
tendency was shown in a number of
experiments. The reason for this may
be due to the condition Of the soil on
the uncuitivated plats discoura ging
termination of weed seeds beneath the
surface an inch or two and the in
ability OF the seedlings to push up
through the hard crust. whereas on
the cultivated plats the friable surface
soil permitted the seedlings to push up
from a considerable depth and the
tillage implements were constantly
bringing up weed seeds into the sur
race soil where conditions were more
conducive to germenation It was
also observed that on other soils. how
ever, especially those Of a loose. deep,
moist character, the weed growth on
the two sets OF plats was about the
same throughout the season. ~
These tests seem to indicate that 1t
Is the weed factor which makes tho
cultivation Of corn necessary. or.
stating the proposition conversely, thar
cultivation Is not beneficial to the corn
plant. except insofar as removing the
weeds are concerned.
The reasons why uncultivated land
kept free from weeds should yield
practically as much corn per acre as
that given the most approved modern
cultivation are not clear. The results.
however, point strongly to the con-
clus!on that the principal object of
cultivation is the destruction Of weeds.
Where the weeds are kept down by
some ether method cultivation seems
to be OF no particular advantage. This
Is contrary to the accepted teaching on
this point and the conclusion is stated
only tenta lively.
If 1t be true that weeds make the
cultivation of corn necessary the
problem Immediately presents ITSELF
as to what farm management methods
can be pursued to eliminate or reduce
to minimum the weed pests Of the
farm. Our present implements for
cultivation are designed primarily to |
produce mulch and stir the ground. |
Weed killing is a secondary function. |
It Is possible that newly designed i'm
plements made with special reference !
to weed control. could accomplish |
this end with greatly decreased
cost. The weeder will probably be |
considered Of vastly more Importance
than heretofore when more data with
reference to its use Is available.
Another large field of investigation
in connection with weed control is OF
much practical Importance to the
farmer. This field Of work might be
outlined as a study Of those systems OF
or rotations which are espec-
tally calculated to lessen the weed !,
pests on the farm. It is well-known
fact that certain rotations of crops
bring us round to the tillage crop with
the land practically free from weed
pests. s..
In summing up the results Of the
experiments Of the 125 corn growers.
It Is shown that the weeded plats pro-
duced 95.1 per cent as much fodder
and 99.108 per cent as much grain as
The cultivated ones. II there was any
adherence between either set Of plats
N regard to thoroughness in keeping
down the weeds 1t was In favor Of the
cultivated plats. Although 1t remains
20 be demonstrated how far this prin-
,iple may be applied in any particular
section, as general average for ALI
the regions in which this work was
done 1t may be concluded that the
proposition just stated is substantially
rue. If this be accepted. weed con-
,rol becomes the principal object Of
corn cultivation.-J. S. Gates. 3r |,