1328 Rural School Leaflet 



ncss of the weed pest will be worth while. Ainlhinj; that the schools can 

 do to make the pupils realize the necessity of clean farming will be valu- 

 able work. 



What can be done toward the promotion of clean farms? First of 

 all and most important, is the problem of clean seeds. More weeds are 

 brought to the farm in impure crop seeds than from any other source. 

 In fact from three-fourths to seven-eighths of all weeds are introduced on the 

 farm in this way. The realization of the importance of pure seed is rapidly 

 growing. In most States, laboratories are being established where com- 

 mercial seeds are analyzed and graded according to impurity. The 

 impurities are analyzed, and the seriousness determined. However, much 

 of the common impurity of crop seeds can be determined by the farmer 

 after a Httle training and experience. In the future, farmers will give 

 much attention to this, and, if they cannot determine the purity of seeds 

 themselves, will send samples to some laboratory for analysis. By the 

 study of common seed adulterations and weed seeds in the school, much 

 can be done toward acquainting the farmer with the common adulterations 

 and the necessity for care in buying seeds. 



If, however, the farm has become infested with weeds, something must 

 be done to retiu^n it to its original condition. The weeds must be erad- 

 icated and to accomplish this is often a much more serious problem than 

 to prevent their introduction at the start. Annual weeds in plowed, 

 hoed, or cultivated crops, are kept in check by clean cultivation. In 

 hay fields, the problem is a more serious one. If few in number, the weeds 

 should be pulled out ; a great deal more can be accomplished by prohibit- 

 ing the spread of new weeds than by later attempting to clean up a badly 

 infested field. Often when the infestation is bad, it is necessary to plow 

 up a field and reseed it with pure seed. 



In pasture land the problem of extermination is still more serious and some- 

 times almost impossible after the weeds have become finnly established. 

 Weeds should not be allowed to grow in fence comers and roadsides, for the 

 seeds will spread over the adjoining fields and make constant labor for the 

 farmer. The school can do excellent work for the farmer by stimulating 

 the realization of the seriousness of allowing seeds to develop The farmer 

 should see that the fence corners and the roadsides are clean, and that 

 newly introduced weeds not seen before in the neighborhood are exter- 

 minated. If the weeds are unknown, specimens should be sent to the Col- 

 lege in order that they may be identified, and the probable seriousness 

 determined. This will increase the interest of the pupils. The Depart- 

 ments of Rural Education and Botany are always ready to answer queries 

 in regard to weeds and to identify unknown specimens. It is hoped, 

 however, that before writing to either of these departments, every possible 



