WEEDS 



the crops are well along, but grow so rapidly when they do 

 appear that they soon overtake and choke out their competi- 

 tors; while still others are perennials that spring again and 

 again from underground parts after being cut down by the 

 gardener. A few are mat plants or rosette plants that form 

 dense carpets over the soil, and some are vines that climb on 

 other plants, but the great majority simply grow erect and take 

 the ground by virtue of a more luxuriant growth. 



Photograph from American Steel and Wire Co. 



FIG. 116. Spraying a lawn with a baud sprayer to eradicate weeds 



Eradicating weeds. One of the most effectual methods of 

 eradicating weeds is to prevent them from seeding. All annual 

 species are easily held in check in this way. When crops are 

 frequently cultivated the weeds are unable to get a start. A 

 favorite way of clearing a field of weeds is to plant it for one 

 or more seasons to some crop that must be hand cultivated. 

 All weeds may be killed by applications of salt, but since what 

 will kill weeds will also kill more valuable plants, this method 

 cannot be used except on walks, drives, and similar places. 

 Asparagus, however, can stand an application of salt strong 

 enough to kill the weeds that grow with it. Plants which 



