83 



Once a meadow becomes infested with Paint Brush it is almost impos- 

 sible to eradicate the weed without breaking up the sod and introducing a 

 short rotation of crops. It is readily killed in cultivated land by ordinary 

 ploughing and cultivation. It is stated by Prof. Jones, of Vermont, that 

 the broadcasting of salt at the rate of 1-2 ton to the acre will kill the Paint 

 Brush, and do no harm to the grass. 



Much can be done to prevent further spread of this weed by mowing, 

 spudding or cutting the plants at or before blossoming time. It is very 

 necessary that farmers give attention to this phase of the question for 

 there has been too much carelessness in this respect in the past. 



If the Paint Brush can compel the farmers to introduce a system of 

 rotation it will have lost its terrors and have done a good service to the 

 province. 



Land that can be cultivated should be ploughed as shallow as possible, 

 just as soon as the hay or grain crop is removed ; then roll and harrow, and 

 in about ten days disc-harrow thoroughly. If grain stubble, cultivate 

 without plowing. Continue sufficient surface cultivation to keep down all 

 growth until autumn. Then plough the land thoroughly, and as deep as 

 the plant food in the soil will allow. Next year, put on a hoed crop of 

 some sort, cultivate the hoed crop so that nothing will grow except the 

 seeds j^ou have planted. In the spring, before the hoed crop is planted 

 plough shallow just before planting, work the surface thoroughly and plant 

 as quickly as possible so as to get the planted crop growing before the 

 weeds begin to show. Follow the hoed crop with grain and seed with 

 clovers and grasses 20 pounds per acre. This amount may seem heavy 

 seeding, but good results will follow. For pastures and wood lots that 

 cannot be ploughed, it is advisable to broadcast dry salt over the patches, 

 so as to fall on the leave.^ of the plant, at the rate of 1 to ly^ tons per 

 acre. Where salt is not used constant spudding and cutting will eradi- 

 cate this very bad weed. 



Wild Carrot (Daucus carota L,), also called Bird's Nest or Devil's 

 Plague. 



"Wild carrot may be observed along roadsides and pastures in the St. 

 John's and St. Hilaire districts, and probably in others. It is a biennial 

 with a deep, strong root ; spreads somewhat rapidly and is sometimes 

 troublesome to eradicate from pastures. However, by spudding the plants 

 well below the crown of the root, and by cutting them before they have a 

 chance to produce seed they can be controlled. 



