No. 144. 1 197 



The remarks of Mr. Scott as to what constitutes noxious weeds 

 we omit, as we hope at an early date to be able to publish a full 

 article from him on this subject. 



It was urged that a large class of weeds absented themselves 

 from soils in perfect heart and balance, and although excess of 

 organic manures in soils must necessarily encourage the growth 

 of weeds, as well as of other plants, still, that the absence of the 

 inorganic constituents of the useful crops from the soil, is generally 

 the forerunner of a propensity to yield weeds in large quantities, 

 whenever organic matter or stimulating manures should be added. 



It was also urged that the frequent disturbance of the surface 

 of soils, was unfriendly to the continued germination of weeds; 

 for, whatever amount of weed seed was resident in the surface, 

 upon portions germinating, they will be immediately turned under 

 or exhibited on the surface to the action of the sun, thus giving 

 opportunity for the germination of new quantities, and of other 

 sorts, until, by a continuance or repetition of the operation, all 

 the weed seed within germinating distance from the immediate 

 surface would in turn be destroyed. 



If a cabbage be taken from the ground and suddenly placed 

 under the spout of a pump, then transferred to a jar of chemically 

 pure water, the following facts will fake place. The wa'er will 

 become turbid, white flocks will settle in a few hours, and after 

 a few hours more half an inch of line white matter, like starch in 

 water, will be deposited, which, if poured around another cab- 

 bage, will kill it, and if poured around a beet will cause it to 

 grow with redoubled vigor, consequently those materials which 

 the cabbage rejects are good pabulum tor the beet. 



Many farmers sow oats to act as a mulch during the winter, 

 and when plowed under in the spring, leaves the land free from 

 fall weeds. 



An anecdote was related by a member who had visited Mr. 

 Reid's nursery at Elizabethtown. He stated that this nursery 

 seemed entirely free from weeds ; that he had remarked to Mr. 

 Reid that he must be very industrious in the removal of weeds. 



