Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-05-16
Along
81

sic
prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
If it is not practicable for the farm
er to dispose of his weeds when they
are small he should make every effort
to prevent them from going to seed.
II weeds are attacked when the most
advanced have just reached the full
blossom stage. they can be prevented
from seeding. At this stage, too, the
roots are at their weakest, especially
those of the ANNALS and biennials,
which are largely exhausted. No
time should be lost, however, in dis
posing of weeds when che full-blossom-
ing stage has been reached, as seeds
will shortly be formed. Some weeds
such as pigweed, produce blossoms
that are very inconspicuous, so that
unless closely watched they will go
to seed before one is aware of it.
Tillage to Control Weeds.
While tillage in its relation to
weeds usually is practiced for the
benefit Of the Immediate crop, it also
may serve the purpose of preventing
hosts of weeds from maturing seeds.
| Thorough tillage serves the additional
purpose of encouraging the rapid
| termination Of weed seeds in the soil
while killing the weed seedlings when
young. In no way is the old adage
"A stitch in time saves nine" better
illustrated than in killing weeds by
tillage soon after they have germinat-
ed rather than delaying the work un-
til they have attained some size.
The thorough preparation Of the
seeded for every crop is an impor-
tant part in the control Of weeds.
After blowing, nearly all farmers use
a disk or a spring-tooth or spike-tooth
harrow to reduce the soil to a
good seeded condition. Each Of
| these harrowings destroys hosts Of
young weed seedlings. As it is only
the weed seeds within few inches
Of the surface of the soil that ger
inmate and as the harrowings encour-
/ age the rapid termination of the weed
seeds, thoroughly narrowing at this Pc
riod may be relied upon to kill large
portion Of the weeds that will appear
! during the season. In fact. 1t some
i times happens that the seeded has
been so well prepared that after plant
ing cultivated crop, such as corn,
cotton, or potatoes. but little cultiva-
ton Is required.
Kill Weeds by Dragging.
After planting the cultivated crop
the same object, that Of attacking the
weeds when young, should be kept in
mind. To this end drag harrow or
/ spike-tooth harrow Is frequently
used, both before and after the crop
comes up. More weeds will be killed
by one dragging at this time than by
several CIVILIZATIONS when the plants
have become larger. The weeder is
also valuable implement for use at
this stage. BY removing some of the
teeth of this tool it can be used In
corn until the crop is nearly waist
high. Indeed, some excellent crops of
corn have been grown by the use of
the weeder only. Some soils are too
stony or otherwise not suited to the
can be used the weeder is one of the
most valuable tools on the farm. The
drag harrow and Weeder may also be
used to advantage with potatoes, cot.
.. ton. and other cultivated crops. After
. the crops have become so large that
these implements can no longer be
! used, the tillage is performed with
rultiyators. Cultivators that destroy
weeds most effectively should be used
Z, The best tools for this purpose vary
with the kind of crop and the type ant
! condition of the soil, SO that it il
difficult to lay down exact rules as t.
: The choice of cultivators. mtercultura
! lillage is especially effective in con
= rolling weeds if the crop has beer
: planted in checkrows so as to permi
she implement to work in two direc
= TONS
Ii the work of preparation and af
: tertillage has been thorough, few
! weeds will come up and go to sect
after cultivation stops. This is es
y pecially true where winter cove
y. crop, such as wheat, crimson clover
= or vetch follows the cultivated. crop.
+ Cultivated crops, therefore, offe
= abundant opportunity to rid farm
Of weeds. If properly handled, the
> are rightly termed cleaning crops.
:, On the other hand, where these crop
y are not we'll cultivated. weeds are az
tually stimulated to vigorous growt