216 CULTIVATION. 



WEEDING. 



If a farmer were asked what is the use of weeds ? 

 he might make out quite a list of their benefits, 

 among which might be some of the following : 



1. They shade tender plants, and in a measure 

 serve as a mulch to the ground. 



2. Some weeds, by their offensive odor, drive 

 away many insects. 



3. They may serve as a green crop to be plowed 

 into the soil, and increase its organic matter. 



4. They make us stir the soil, and thus increase 

 its fertility. 



Still, while thinking out these excuses for weeds 

 (all but the last of which are very feeble ones), he 

 would see other and more urgent reasons why they 

 should not be allowed to grow. 



1. They occupy the soil to the disadvantage of 

 crops. 



2. They exclude light and heat from cultivated 

 plants, and thus interfere with their growth. 



3. They take up mineral and other matters from 

 the soilj and hold them during the growing season, 

 thus depriving crops of their use. 



It is not necessary to argue the injury done by 

 weeds. Every farmer is well convinced that they 

 should be destroyed, and the best means of accom- 

 plishing this is of the greatest importance. 



In the first place, we should protect ourselves against 

 their increase. This may be done (in a measure) : 



By decomposing all manures in compost, whereby 



