FORMS OF LAND TENURE IN THE UNITED STATES 275 



Destruction of noxious weeds. Great care should be taken 

 to provide in the contract for the cutting of all noxious weeds 

 before they mature their seeds. A clause should be inserted 

 providing that in case the tenant neglects to destroy seed-bearing 

 weeds in proper season the landlord may enter with the necessary 

 help, destroy the weeds, and charge the cost to the tenant. 



In the case of Canada thistles and quack grass, provision 

 should be made against the spreading of their roots over the 

 fields. These plants may have got a start along a fence row or 

 along a ditch where the land has not been cultivated for years. 

 By plowing one furrow closer than has been the practice in a 

 place of this kind a great quantity of the roots may be loosened 

 and dragged out over the field. Danger of spreading these 

 plants should be guarded against strenuously. The saving of 

 the land from the encroachment of noxious weeds is even more 

 important, if there be any difference, than the avoidance of soil 

 exhaustion. 



Where a state law requires the destruction of noxious weeds 

 it should be strenuously enforced. It is the duty of every 

 landlord and of every tenant to see that such laws are obeyed. 



The landlord whose farm is foul with weeds should not ex- 

 pect the tenant who was not to blame for this condition of affairs 

 to clear the farm from these pests without compensation. 

 Where this work is not performed as a part of the regular culture 

 of the crops, the tenant should receive compensation in cash in 

 proportion to the service rendered. The landlord who does not 

 spend money in fighting the encroaching army of noxious weeds 

 will soon accept a much lower rent. Where the destruction of 

 weeds is a regular farm operation necessary to the production 

 of a crop the tenant should not expect other compensation than 

 that coming from increased production. The landlord whose 

 farm is clear of weeds can easily secure enough more rent to 

 make his activities and expenditures in the destruction of weeds 

 very profitable. 



Value of a tidy farm. The landlord should take great care 

 to provide neat farm buildings and fences. The tenant should 

 agree to maintain a tidy appearance about the house, the barns, 



