Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-05-28
WEEDS AND HOW
TO CONTROL THEM
/ Prof. W. l.. Slate IT,, Farmers Week. orono,
1881

PROT. W. L. Slate. IT,, Farmers Week, orono,
1851
IL has been said that q weed is q plant
out OF place. This Is doubtedly true
from certain standpoints, but for the
farmer, the weed is more-it Is pest, an
enemy, source OF financial loss. Recent
experimentation even suggests that it is
weeds, not the lack Of mulch, that lowers
our corn crop. However that may be, we
do know that they reduce our crop yields
and values.
Weeds iniure crops, by using plant food,
by using water needed for the crop, by
crowding out economic plants. Incon-
venienee in harvesting, reducing value OF
crop, as weeds in hay, and harboring of
fungus diseases, are some OF the other
ways in which weeds inIure crops.
II often occurs that new weed appears
on farm, takes possession OF whole
fields, and one is at loss to know how it
came there. The most frequent sources
are our waste pastures, fence rows, road
sides and other waste places. Weeds are
allowed to run riot here and are spread by
the wind, by the wash from higher lands,
by animals and birds. Some states have
laws that make it a misdemeanor to let
noxious weeds grow. Grass and clover
seed bring more weeds to the farmer than
he realizes. With this In mind, we have
passed pure seed laws, so that purchaser
may know when he is getting poor seed or
good.
In combating weeds, tilIage is necessary.
Better have less area and keep it clean.
Modern tools are great aid in this fight.
Short rotations are necessary for many
weeds that tend TO infest our meadows.
Moving and burning often are worth
while, but should be done before the
weeds form seed.
Spraying With herbicides is receiving
considerable attention. Copper sulfate and
iron suliate are being used with success, but
care must be taken that the work is done
thoroughly and under proper conditions to
obtain good results. Twelve pounds OF
copper sulfate (blue vitrioI) In fitty-two
gallons OF water is effective on common
mustard, prickly lettuce, and goosetoot
| spray W uSu AtaNNS AEth
| 100 pounds TO a barrel OF water, has been
found most effective on mustard. Spray
when the plants are six to twelve inches
high and the leaves are dry. 1t may be
necessary to repeat the spraying. The
cost will be about 81 .35 per acre.
Quack grass witch or seutch grass) -
Tillage is the best means to clean up a
field. The root stalks are persistent, snd
must be turned, up to sun or frost until
| killed out. For q thorough discussion
see Farmers bulletin No. 464.
| Sorrel -- There Is common idea that
sorrei Is an indication OF sour land. This
is not true, but may appear so from tbs
disappearance of sorrel. The fact is thai
the lime encourages closer growth, anc
this keeps the sorrel from taking posses
sion OF the field. By all means see thai
clover seed is free from sorrel, since THU
is the chief source of the weed.
Mustards Tiliage, clean seed and
sprays are the means at hand for combat
ing mustard. Grain fields may be sprayed
with little or no injury to the crop, anc
the expense is not great enough to be |
factor.
Hawkweed-Sinee the root stalks arr
fairly close to the surface, this weed ma,
be handled by blowing shallow and sur
face working, much as for quack grass
short rotation is also essential. On
fields where this is impraeticable, sal
may be used, about twenty pounds to thu
square rod.
Daisy or white weed-A short rotation
again applies here. To prevent spread
ing, the grass should be cut early. Tn
| weed seeds are not ripe at that time, ant
| Later nlnXiIlg will dasLroY the nlants.