CHAPTER VI. 



Weeds and Moss. 



Weeds in general.— Weeds rarely trouble the good cultivator, 

 particularly in vegetable gardening. Intensive methods of 

 cultivation allow no weeds to appear. It is economy, both in 

 labor and returns from the crop, to prevent weeds from ap- 

 pearing, rather than to hoe or pull them out after they are 

 partly grown and have done some damage. Frequent light 

 stirrings of the soil with cultivator, harrow or rake are the 

 cheapest mode of weed destruction. In the struggle with 

 weeds it is well to consider the longevity of the various spe- 

 cies. Annual weeds, those which naturally die after the 

 season's growth, require no special treatment. Biennial 

 species, those which die at the end of the second year, may 

 be held in check by preventing them from seeding, as by 

 mowing them when coming into flower. Examples of this 

 class are the mullein, wild carrot and field or bull-thistle. 

 Perennial species, those which live indefinitely, often require 

 particular treatment. Some of the worst perennial species 

 are Canada thistle, white or ox-eye daisy, toad-flax, live-for- 

 ever, docks, and various grasses. Very frequent, persistent 

 and thorough cultivation will destroy any of these. Culti- 

 vation should be repeated even before the weeds recover 

 sufficiently to take root again. Seeding down and mowing 

 the weeds with the hay will destroy most weeds. In dry 

 and sandj"^ soils three or four thorough plowings during the 

 season will destroy Canada thistles and other pests, particu- 

 larly in dry years, but on richer and retentive soils greater 

 thoroughness must be practiced. 



Weeds in lawns. — Weeds usually come up thickly in newly 

 sown lawns. They are to be prevented hy the use of com- 

 mercial fertilizers or very clean manure and clean grass- 

 B-5 . (65) 



