Weeds 197 



because he tills better and manages his land more skil- 

 fully. It is in neglected areas that weeds are most 

 prevalent, along the roadside, in the run-out meadow 

 or pasture, in the barnyard or front yard, in the poorly 

 tilled vegetable garden. Many farmers seem to think 

 that good farming consists in killing weeds and bugs; 

 but the best farming consists in not having them. Of 

 course the farmer can not expect ever to be rid of these 

 things, but he should think more of prevention than of 

 eradication. A weed is only a plant that is not wanted. 

 Horse-radish may be a weed in a potato field, and 

 potatoes may be a weed in a horse-radish field. Potatoes 

 are weeds in potato fields when potatoes are planted 

 too thick. 



There is no royal road to weedless farming. Fol- 

 lowing are some of the means of keeping weeds in 

 check : 



1. Practice rotation; keep ahead of the weeds. Cer- 

 tain weeds follow certain crops : when these weeds 

 become serious, change the crop. 



2. Change the method of tillage. If a weed per- 

 sists, try deeper or shallower plowing, or a different 

 kind of harrow or cultivator, or till at different times 

 and seasons. 



3. Harrow the land frequently when it is in fallow 

 or is waiting for a crop. Harrow it, if possible, after 

 seeding and before the plants are high enough to be 

 broken by the implement. Potatoes, corn and other 

 things can be harrowed after they are several inches 

 high ; and sometimes the land may be harrowed be- 

 fore the plants are up. 



