IN PRAISE OF THE HOE 277 



methodically as you please, but unless you can induce your 

 neighbours to follow your good example the pest of weeds will 

 never be kept in check. The winged seed from your neighbour's 

 generous crop of thistles and dandelions will be wafted gently 

 in the breeze over your wall or fence, will settle lovingly hi your 

 carefully tended rockery or flower beds, and you will have to pay 

 the penalty of other people's neglect. 



In the case of perennial weeds with long tap roots which have 

 been allowed to become thoroughly established it is sometimes 

 a difficult matter to remove every bit of root In such an event 

 the application of a weed killer may be recommended, if care 

 be exercised in its use. Weeds of this character can be eradicated 

 by thrusting into the centre of the root a skewer dipped in strong 

 sulphuric acid. It need hardly be said that weed killers should 

 not be used indiscriminately on the borders. The result would 

 inevitably prove disastrous to other things than weeds. 



For gravel paths two applications during the year of liquid 

 weed killer may be recommended, the first in March and the 

 second in September. These, with a little occasional hand-weed- 

 ing, will keep the paths clean and neat. The use of salt is not 

 altogether satisfactory, since although it will undoubtedly kill 

 weeds, it afterwards acts as a fertiliser and helps ultimately to 

 produce a larger crop of weeds than before. 



