IS 



4. What is the estimated annual loss ivhich you sustain from 

 weeds ? Some of the answers to this question are amusing, but the 

 ^eat majority of them show a full appreciation of the fact that a ser- 

 ious loss undoubtedlj- results from the existence of weeds among farm 

 crops. 



Some consider the weeds a blessing in disguise, as they compel 

 lazy and careless farmers to keep on cultivating the soil ; and very 

 many, in making their estimate, seem wholly to overlook the loss 

 from the use of plant food and the absorption of soil moisture by 

 weeds. A number estimate their loss at twenty- five cents per acre, 

 and quite a few place it as high as $5 per acre ; so, considering the 

 whole list and counting labor, with the loss of soil moisture, fertility, 

 etc., we think that $1.00 per acre is a conservative estimate of the 

 annual loss throughout the Province. 



5. What means do you use to destroy the weeds on your farm ! 

 and with what success!' Many full answers were given to this ques- 

 tion ; and the most valuable information contained in these answers 

 has been set forth under various heads in the descriptions which fol- 

 low. One point, however, which is strongly emphasized by many, 

 may be mentioned in passing, viz., that no method, however good it 

 may be, is of any use, unless it is faithfully carried out. A lack of 

 thoroughness in the work done for the destruction of weeds always 

 results in failure. 



6. What new weeds have you notice I lately in your locality ! 

 Are they spreading rapidly '? and how have they been introduced f 



As to the ways in which the above weeds have been introduced, 

 the answers are various, but the great majority of the correspondents 

 mention two agencies as chiefly responsible : ( 1) Impure seed, espec- 

 ially grass and clover seed ; (2) Threshing machines. 



Several grades of clover seed are sold by seedsmen : — No. 1, or 

 the best quality, is usually clean, but most of it is exported, as Cana- 

 dian farmers will not pay the price asked for this grade ; No. 2, or 

 second quality, is the kind generally sold in country stores through- 

 out the Province. Of the samples referred to on a previous page as 

 having been examined by us, by far the worst were from country 

 stores, for which fact we cannot say that the storekeepers are to 

 blame any more than the farmers who refuse to pay the price neces- 

 sary to secure the best seed. 



We would again urge that every farmer, no matter what the 

 assertions or statements of sellers may be, should examine carefully 

 with a glass all grass and clover seed which he thinks of sowing on 

 his land ; and in case he discovers foreign seeds which he does not 

 know, let him send samples to the Ontario Agricultural College, 

 Guelph, and all such samples will be promptly examined and reported 

 upon 



