CHAPTER VI. 



WEEDS. 



I. Weeds in general. Weeds rarely trouble the good cul- 

 tivator, particularly in vegetable gardening. Intensive 

 methods of culture allow no weeds to appear. It is 

 economy, both in labor and in returns from the crop, to pre- 

 vent weeds from appearing, rather than to hoe or pull 

 them out after they are partly grown and have done some 

 damage. Frequent light stirring of the soil with culti- 

 vator, harrow or rake is the cheapest mode of weed de- 

 struction. In the struggle with weeds it is well to con- 

 sider the longevity of the various species. Annual weeds, 

 those which naturally die after the season's growth, re- 

 quire no special treatment. Biennial species, those which 

 die at the end of the second year, may be held in check 

 by preventing them from seeding, as by mowing them 

 when coming into flower. Examples of this class 

 are the mullein, wild carrot and field or bull thistle 

 Perennial species, those which live indefinitely, often re- 

 quire particular treatment. Some of the worst of the 

 perennial species are Canada thistle, white or ox-eye daisy, 

 toad-flax, live-forever, docks, and various grasses. Very 

 frequent, persistent and thorough cultivation will destroy 

 any of these. Cultivation should be repeated even before 

 the weeds recover sufficiently to take root again. Seeding 

 down and mowing the weeds with the hay will destroy 

 most weeds. In dry and sandy soils three or four thor- 

 ough plowings during the season will destroy Canada 



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