CHAPTER XXX 



WEEDING AND CULTIVATION 



r I ^HERE is no doubt that to clean- weed an estate and to 

 keep it clean is the most economical way of working. 

 No one will question the necessity of getting rid of lalang at all 

 costs. The long, stringy roots of this most troublesome weed, 

 with their sharp points, penetrate the soil in all directions 

 about 6 to 12 inches below the surface and strangle all other 

 vegetation. Lalang has a wonderful vitality, and it is due to 

 this fact that it is so difficult to thoroughly eradicate it. The 

 smallest portion of a root left in the soil when weeding starts a 

 fresh and vigorous growth. " One year's seeding, five years' 

 weeding," is a saying which expresses the facts of the case. 

 It is only by determined and persistent effort, week after week, 

 month after month, and frequently when measures are not 

 taken to thoroughly eradicate it before planting is started, or 

 neglect has let it once more establish itself year after year, 

 that it can be extirpated. 



Surface scrapings and light forkings are of no use. Deep 

 forking or channelling is the only way to get at the roots and 

 to get them out. System and persistent effort are essential. 

 When an estate has lalang it should be divided into blocks of 

 say 50 acres each, and a three-weekly system of weeding started. 

 No more land should be taken in hand at the commencement 

 of the weeding campaign than can be thoroughly well worked 

 over during the period of three weeks. Suppose that three 

 blocks of 50 acres each have been thoroughly well chankolled 

 over during the first three weeks, then, when the second three- 

 weekly period arrives, the same three blocks of 50 acres each 

 have again to be thoroughly worked over. The work the 

 second time will not be quite so heavy, and the estate manager 

 should be able to take in an additional block of 50 acres within 

 the three-weekly period. This additional block having been 



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