PROGRESSIVE FARMING. 29 



mon weeds which infest the garden and hoed crops can be sub- 

 dued. 



But there are some great pests, like white-weed, chick-weed 

 and witch-grass, which defy the most determined energy and 

 skill and reappear like the phoenix when they seem to be exter- 

 minated. Some writers have the boldness to say that witch- 

 grass has a value, and even recommend it as a good grass to 

 cultivate. But a long and intimate acquaintance with this nui- 

 sance, does not impress one with a deeper sense of its virtues. 

 The only redeeming quality it possesses, is that the hay, if cut 

 early, is good fodder. Its presence in the soil nearly doubles 

 the labor of cultivation ; and unless thoroughly kept in check, 

 seriously diminishes the crop. 



I think, also, that its effect in a highly cultivated farm, is to 

 materially reduce the crop of hay. It does not, like other 

 grass, grow thickly, but tall, coarse, and with stalks widely 

 separated, ft kills out other more valuable grasses, and in a 

 short time " binds itself out," unless the land is kept very rich. 

 Although it may be impossible to exterminate this pest from 

 land once thoroughly filled with its roots, it may be managed 

 so that it will not materially injure the crops for some years. 



It cannot be killed by hoeing, because the root-stock has in- 

 numerable joints, each with a bud and tuft of roots ready 

 formed to grow, and cutting up has the effect to produce many 

 plants instead of one ; but like scourges of society, it may be 

 effectually disposed of by strangulation. Any crop that will 

 thoroughly shade the ground until late in the fall, will effectu- 

 ally destroy witch-grass. 



The potato is one of the worst crops to raise on ground in- 

 fested with this weed, because the tops usually die early in the 

 fall, and the crop is not harvested until later. But a good 

 growth of cabbages, turnips, or even fodder-corn, will some- 

 times kill nearly every root. The decay of the coarse, serpent- 

 like root-stocks in the ground, not only adds an element of fer- 

 tility, but renders the soil more friable ; hence another reason 

 for killing the roots in the ground, instead of attempting the 

 hopeless task of digging them all out and carting them away. 



Destructive insects are more troublesome than any weed. 

 They come when least expected, remain for a time, and disap- 

 pear without any visible cause. There is nothing more vexa- 



