6 



A small magnifying glass is very useful in identifying seeds. What 

 is known as the Coddington lens (fig. A.), costing $1.50, is the best glass 

 for such work ; but the small eye-glass used by watch-makers (fig. B) will 

 serve the purpose fairly well. Even the cheap linen tester (fig. C) can be 

 used with advantage. Small sets of weed seeds can be purchased from 

 the College, a set of 35 in small bottles for 75c. 



CLASSIFICATION OF WEEDS. 



Weeds may be classified according to the length of time they live, as 

 follows : 



Annuals, or weeds which germinate, bloom, fruit, and di3 in one 

 year or season. Corn Cockle is an example. 



Winter Annuals, which germinate late in summer or autumn, pass 

 the winter as seedlings or immature plants, and complete the cycle of 

 their existence by blooming, fruiting, and dying during the following 

 summer. Such are Chess and Shepherd's Purse. 



Biennials, which produce leaves and roots the first year, and flowers 

 and seed the second year, after which they die. The Wild Carrot and 

 Evening Primrose are familiar examples. 



Perennials, which last from year to year, blooming and seeding 

 annually. These are divided into two classes : 



(1) Those with underground creeping stems, such as the Canada 

 Thistle. 



(2) Those with roots which do not spread underground, such as 

 Chicory and Plantain. 



It is important to know the class to which a weed belongs, as the 

 method of eradicating an annual is often very different from that 

 required to destroy a perennial. 



ERADICATION OF WEEDS. 



The most important points under this head are : 



First, a determination to get rid of weeds and to keep the land clean. 



Second, the method or methods of tillage and cropping. 



As regards the latter point, the writer feels that he cannot do better 

 than submit the method outlined by our late Farm Superintendent, 

 Wm. Rennie, whose experience of over thirty years warrants him in 

 speaking with some confidence on the subject. Mr. Rennie's method not 

 only cleans the land but increases its fertility, and those who wish fuller 

 information should consult the College reports for 1895, 1896, and 1?^97. 



For various reasons, very few farms in the older sections of the 

 Province of Ontario are free from weeds, and the question how to clean 

 our lands without incurring too much expense is one of the most impor- 

 tant which can engage the attention of Canadian farmers. 



