GENEEAL ITEMS. 121 



plants and lightly hoed in, gives good results ; also 

 waste carbide of calcium. (3) Sand or fine soil 

 mixed with paraffin or naphthalene and similarly 

 applied. (4) Frequent hoeing of the soil between 

 the plants, and killing any caterpillars brought to 

 the surface. 



Suppression of Weeds. 



Weeds, if allowed to grow, rob the soil and the 

 crops of much valuable food material and moisture ; 

 prevent the free circulation of light and air; and 

 many of them are agents for the harbouring of 

 insect pests and diseases. Perennial weeds should, 

 as far as possible, be dug up as they make their ap- 

 pearance during the growing season ; and in autumn, 

 as soon as the crops are cleared off, the ground should 

 be forked over, removing carefully all roots of these 

 weeds, even small pieces, which, if allowed to remain, 

 would grow the following year. Annual weeds must 

 be kept down by regular hoeing and weeding, and 

 should never be allowed to produce seed. This they 

 do very quickly, especially in late summer and early 

 autumn, and if allowed to remain they distribute 

 immense numbers of seeds, which cause much extra 

 work in subsequent years as well as injury to the 

 crops. Freedom from weeds adds greatly to the 

 appearance of all garden ground ; it benefits both soil 

 and crops; and undoubtedly the best and most 

 satisfactory way to keep weeds down is never to 

 allow them to get up. 



