Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-21
THE WEED NUISANCE

Dean Kennedy of the u. n. d.. presents some views
on the subject of weeds which are SO much to the point.
and so timely, that The Herald wishes to adopt them and
presents them as its own. The subject is one which,
though old. is always new, and as has been the case with
the ny nuisance to which he refers. In order that the latent
sentiment which always exists in favor Of cleanliness,
and order. and wholesomenesa, may become sufficiently
aroused and crystalized to result in action. 1t is necessary
that attention be called frequently to facts which, in a
way. have been generally recognized. 1t is hoped that
Dean Kennedys reminder will aid in bringing about this
result Dean Kennedy writes:
'There are numerous vacant lots, patches. and larger
areas around and in the city that are overgrown with I'M
slightly and noxious weeds. From an artistic point Of view
they are OF a great injury to the city, for they give strang-
srs q vary unfavorabla impression. They also detract
from the value Of property especially in the immediate
neighborhood.
From the point Of view Of health also they are posi-
the beauty Of the city but they are full of danger and
damage from the economic and hygienic point Of view.
They are not only obnoxious but positively noxious. About
this time Of tho year they saturate the atmosphere of the
city and the surrounding country with pollen that causes
hay-fever and other irritations which drive many people
away to the eleaner atmosphere Of the lakes and pine
regions of northern Minnesota. From this point Of view
alone the merchants Of the city lose a large patronage.
"There was a time when flies were much more
numerous and when all diseases communicable by them
were very prevalent. When the danger Of flies became
generally known and realized and when swat the fly be-
came a principle Of life and of living, he has almost disap-
peared and with him much OF tho distress and sickness
which he used to spread.
THE same kind of a battle, cry should be raised
against these noxious weed patches. The individual citi-
zen should keep his own premises free from them: and
tho city council. the school board, the park board. and
the Commercial club should put on the war-patnt in a
fight against weeds. The merchants. whose trade is in
jured, should do likewise. Both the towns and the coun-
try should declare war on weeds and in this case there
should be no armistice. The law against noxious weeds
should be revived in tho public mind everywhere. and not
only revived but enforced.
There ought to be a Weekday in order to bring
the importance of weed destruction homo to peoples
minds. But every day should be q Weekday, as every
day should be a fy-day. No quarter should be given
them. 1t is only because people can not wildly measure
and realize the danger and the damage Of weeds that they
do not take a more pugnacous attitude toward them.
the weeds. They are coming into bloom everywhere and
toscut them down now would mean to cut the life and the
heart out Of hem-they would not come to flower and
pollen again this year. w.
Some Of us are actually driven out Of this country
every season during the time when the atmosphere is
saturated with the pollen Of foul weeds. Communities
everywhere should awaken to the nuisance and the danger
OF noxious weeds and the cry should be swat. the weed
no less than swat the fly"