260 



NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 



Successful weeds must be al:)lc to thrive on the treatment 

 accorded to the crop \\'ith which they grow. In our study of 

 pasture plants (Study 6, p. 56), we found that the weeds of 



pasture, like the forage 

 plants there, are chiefly 

 j^erennials that are able 

 to withstand browsing 

 and tram]3ling. So, in 

 the fields, they must be 

 al)le to mature a crop 

 witliin the lifetime of the 

 cultivated species with 

 which they are associated. 

 Since good plowing puts 

 an end to both alike, a 

 new start must be made 

 from seed. Between \)\ow- 

 ing and plowing, there- 

 fore, a new crop of seed 

 must be matured. Hence, 

 the im])ortant weeds of 

 the coniiield are annuals. 

 Perennials are of little 

 consequence in tilled fields. 

 The weeds that in season 

 and habits and require- 

 ments are most like the 

 crops \\'ith which they 

 grow, arc the ones that 

 They are natural com- 



FlG. 99. Sun prints of camomile and carrot. 



give the fanner the most trouble, 

 petitors. 



The farmer gives them as bad a handicap as possible at 

 planting time. He buries their seed deeply by plowing 

 the soil, and at once he i)lants seed of his own crop at the 



