Rural School Leaflet. 



9^^ 



expense and labor later in the season. Fig. 43 shows a corn field which 

 was treated in the manner just mentioned. The scarcity of weeds is 

 very pleasing to the 

 careful farmer. Fig. 44 

 is a picture of a 

 nearby field which re- 

 ceived no attention 

 from the weeder. The 

 undesirable plants are 

 more numerous than 

 the corn plants. 



One of the best tools 

 in the garden is the 

 common garden rake. 

 It is much easier to go 

 over the ground with 

 this than to use the 

 hoe after, the weeds ^^*^- ^Z-— A field free from weeds 



have had a good start. Of course care should be exercised in stir- 

 ring the soil too near the young plants. 



The policy is often followed of leaving the weeds until they become 

 well rooted. No system of cultivation can then remove them all. Hand 

 pulling or hoeing must then be resorted to. This is not an agree- 

 able occupation and 

 doubtless has dis- 

 gusted many a farm 

 boy with country life. 

 The third precau- 

 tion to take in order 

 to have our gardens 

 and fields free of 

 weeds is to plant the 

 new crop in clean 

 ground. As a rule it 

 is best to plant in 

 newly plowed ground 

 or in soil which has 

 been recently stirred. 

 This is very important 



Fig. 44. — A weedy field 



in the growth of certain crops. Alfalfa is a notable example. It is 

 customary in this state to recommend that alfalfa be sown in August 



