ROADSIDES AND NEGLECTED CORNERS 69 



thoroughly cultivate has done much to spread some of our 

 worst weeds. 



Still, in the economy of nature, iveeds are not useless. They 

 hold the bare and loose soil together, and keep it from being 

 blown or washed away. Those kinds that grow on almost 

 bare clay, sand, or rock no doubt add slowly to the fertility 

 of such soil by their decaying roots, stalks, and leaves, thus 

 tending to fit the soil for more useful plants. 



