CHAPTER 11. 



THE EVILS WHICH ARISE FROM THE PRESENCE 

 OF WEEDS. 



The evils which arise from the presence 

 of weeds are very many and very great ; so 

 many and so great that it would seem incon- 

 ceivable that any one should be found will- 

 ing to offer an excuse for weeds on the 

 ground of their utility. Nevertheless, we 

 sometimes find persons enlarging on their 

 value for fertilizing purposes, and on their 

 utility in arresting the escape of nitrates 

 from the soil through leaching. It is true 

 that weeds may sometimes be turned to 

 good account in enriching the land, if they 

 are plowed under as a green crop before 

 their seeds mature, but more commonly it 

 will be found far better to sow^a crop prop- 

 erly suited to the purpose, and one that will 

 at the same time afford pasture if necessary. 

 A green crop thus sown will also hinder the 



