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and for the extra trouble it gives in controlling it in the cultivated fields. Lack 

 of labor-help is the great cry of the farmers in this section. It is simply impossible 

 to get capable help nowadays, they say, — the result being that weeds are not 

 attended to at the right time. " Couch grass is our worst weed," said Mr. Reed, 

 " and we find it very hard to control on our Hght soil. Where it was possible to 

 give good autumn cultivation and continuous summer cultivation in the corn and 

 roots the following year the couch or quack was fairly well checked. I am watching 

 carefully the first appearances of Paint Brush and I am careful to pull up every 

 plant I can find. As the seed is blown by the wind, it is just a question of time 

 when it will be abundant, especially in neglected farms. These farms will then be 

 menaces to others unless the weed by-laws are put into operation." 



With regard to the labor problem Mr. Reed said : " The scarcity of suitable 

 farm help is one of the great drawbacks to good farming at the present time. We 

 simply can't get suitable men. Besides, I think, the Militia Department should 

 change the time of holding the annual camp. The men leave to attend drill just 

 at a time when we can fight weeds to best advantage." 



In Brome County 



(For illustration see next page). 



Paint Brush may be found almost everywhere in Brome County. When many 

 farmers are asked what they are doing to control it, they confess they are doing 

 nothing. " We have not the time to deal with it, so we just leave it alone," they 

 reply. A drive into West Bolton settlement revealed the roadsides and meadows 

 matted with the weed. 



Mr. Hillhouse, on being asked about Paint Brush, said : " There are other 

 weeds that I am more afraid of than Paint Brush, for example. Sow Thistle, Couch 

 and Mustard. Cultivation will readily kill Paint Brush, and I am told that sheep 

 will feed on it in meadows and waste lands. The trouble is, most farmers are doing 

 nothing in the way of controlling Paint Brush." 



Mr. James Pettis, one of the best farmers in West Brome, being apked his 

 opinion regarding the weed, said : " All I can tell you may be told in a nutshell. 

 Paint Brush will not thrive under good cultivation and good manuring. I have no 

 trouble with it, and where farmers adopt a rotation covering four or five years, 

 no difficulty need be anticipated. In pastures and waste lands Paint Brush gets 

 control because the land becomes poor. If such land be run over with a spring- 

 tooth harrow when the ground is soft. Paint Brush will be to a large extent up- 

 rooted. Then a mixture of grasses and clovers at the rate of fifteen pounds per 



P. P. Eng.— 7 



