186 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [7:7— Oct., 1911 



Weed Gardens and Their Uses W. J. Beal, Ph. D. 



Professor Emeritus of Botany, Mich. Agri. College. 

 Report of Committee on District and State Exhibits of 



Children's Garden Products W. R. Hart, Chairman 



Business Election of Officers 



Dr. Beal gave some very helpful suggestions on weed gar- 

 dens. The number of weeds in the state of Michigan increased 

 in thirty years' time from less than 25 to more than 250. They get 

 onto the farm by means of adulterated seed, bought in other 

 states and in foreign countries. When they once get a foothold 

 the seeds of many of them will remain in the ground for thirty 

 years without losing their vitality. The art of destroying weeds 

 rests on the science of the growth habits of different species. 

 All weeds can be killed if kept deprived of their green parts for 

 a greater or less period of time. In the case of some this re- 

 quires frequent repetition. The weed garden should be kept 

 perfectly clean and each species made to stay in its own place. 

 The weed garden will help the student to a better knowledge of 

 the nature of plant life. Weeds have developed an enormous 

 power of self-propagation. Many weeds have food values at 

 certain stages. Many others are medicinal. Hundreds of them 

 furnish nectar for the bees. The doctor's favorite definition of 

 a weed is, "A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered 

 bv man.'' 



