48 COMMON WEEDS 



The first leaves of red clover, which is generally 

 sown among the spring cereals barley and oats, turn 

 black and die after being sprayed, but the growing 

 central buds of the plants are uninjured and develop 

 satisfactorily later. 



Peas, vetches, and potatoes are, however, seriously 

 and permanently damaged, so that weeds among these 

 crops must be dealt with in other ways. 



The best time for spraying is in the morning of a 

 clear day when there is no wind and no likelihood of 

 rain. A heavy shower or two immediately after spray- 

 ing or long-continued rain within twenty-four hours 

 after the solutions have been applied, reduces the value 

 of the operation or stops its action altogether. 



The plants should be young and in a vigorous state 

 of growth ; seedlings possessing three or four well- 

 developed leaves are most easily destroyed. Especially 

 is it essential to deal with the young plants of Wild 

 Radish (Raphanus), as in the older stages they are more 

 resistant to the poisonous materials than Charlock. The 

 latter may be sprayed with success even when the plants 

 are in flower ; if not too far developed the leaves are 

 destroyed, and although pods may form, they usually 

 contain only shrivelled seeds incapable of germination. 



The effects of copper and iron sulphates and other 

 plant poisons when used in weak solutions are not seen 

 until three to six days or more have elapsed, so that the 

 value of spraying for weed destruction cannot be deter- 

 mined immediately after the operation is carried out. 



In May get a weedhook, a crotch and a gloue, 



and weed out such weeds, as the come doth not loue : 

 For weeding of winter corne, now it is best, 

 but June is the better, for weeding the rest." 



THOMAS TUSSER, Five Hundreth Pointes of 

 Husbandrie, 1 5 5 7 



