384 WEEDS 



over the pasture twice a year, it will wonderfully improve its graz- 

 ing qualities. Grass is much improved by clipping. The grass 

 seed stalks are cut, and this in turn makes the grass form more 

 leafy and succulent growth for the stock. On the other hand, the 

 clipping is injurious to the weeds and two clippings a year will 

 destroy many of them. 



Liming and fertilizing are both beneficial to the grass, and will 

 encourage it in its efforts to crowd out the weeds. More grass 

 seed should be sown in the pasture each fall and spring, particu- 

 larly in the bare places or parts where the weeds are most abund- 

 ant. If possible, a harrow should be used over the surface at each 

 seeding time to help cover the seed and to help destroy the weeds. 



Along Roadsides. It is a common sight to see crops of weeds 

 going to seed in waste places along fences and roads. These fur- 

 nish enough seed to suppty the farms along both sides of the road, 

 and the fields bordered by the fences. No efforts should be spared 

 in trying to induce all farmers, both the thrifty and the neglect- 

 ful, to keep such places along their farms mowed or otherwise 

 cleaned of growing weeds. Such areas should be grassed, if pos- 

 sible, as this will tend to keep down the weeds. The grass itself 

 may be cut or pastured, and some value of the area will thus be 

 obtained. Along railroads, wide strips are sometimes left which 

 may be used for growing clean culture crops such as potatoes. 



How Rotation Helps to Control Weeds. Perennial weeds are 

 more common in pastures and meadows than they are in culti- 

 vated fields. The annuals are more common in cultivated fields 

 than they are in pastures and meadows. Wherever certain annual 

 weeds have become a serious pest in a field, they may be subjugated 

 by first cleaning the field up well and preparing a good seed bed 

 for grass, clover, alfalfa or other perennial crop which, if properly 

 grown, will smother out the annual weeds. The annual weeds fail 

 to persist because the ground becomes well settled and the cutting 

 of the hay will prevent them from going to seed two conditions 

 unfavorable to them. 



Wherever perennial weeds are becoming too well established 

 in grass lands of any kind, the ground should be plowed, and as one 

 plowing is usually not enough entirely to destroy them all, it is 

 advisable to follow with clean tillage for a season or more. To 

 do this economically requires the growth of an annual crop which 

 is to be cultivated, such as potatoes, corn, tobacco, garden crops, 

 or cotton. 



