xiv WEEDS. 
to be familiar with the manner of growth, and the mode of propagation 
of a ‘weed, as it is to be with that of an useful plant. A = that 
eads itself entirely by the seed must, of course, be differently treated 
from one pastas multiplies by the root also, whether we would propagate | 
or destroy. 
cA. _ constitution, established by a proper regard to the conditions of 
‘health, is not only the best preventive to the attacks of disease, but much 
faciltates recovery, if this be contracted ; in like manner thorough culture 
and good farming ensures a sort of general exemption from the pesti- 
lence of weeds, and renders easy the subjugation of those which happen 
to make their way into the grounds. In agriculture as in morals, idleness 
is the mother of vice, and if the ground be not occupied with something 
good, there will bea plenty of the opposite character to take its place. 
Possession is a great advantage in other matters than those of the law, 
and a plant, whether useful or troublesome, when once fully established 
is not disposed to yield without an argument. “That learned and saga~ 
cious observer of Nature—the late professor Dz Canpotte—remarks, 
that ‘all the plants of a country, * bay of any given place, are ina 
state of war, in relation to each other. All are endowed with Lae. 
more or less efficacious, of rejouton and nutrition. Those which first 
establish themselves accidentally, in a given locality, have a tendency, 
from the mere fact that they already occupy the space, to exclude other 
species from it: the largest ones smother the smallest ones; the lo 
lived ones supersede those of shorter duration ; the most fruitful gradu- 
ally take possession of the space which would otherwise have been occu- 
pied by those which multiply more slowly.’ The farmer, therefore, should 
of this principle, and aid the more valuable plants in their 
struggle to choke down or expel the worthless.” 1) 
Weeds are introduced upon a farm in a variety of ways. Many have 
their seeds sown with those of the crops; this is particularly the case 
where the seeds of the weeds and of the grain are so nearly alike in size 
that their separation is difficult. Proper care in procuring and preserv- 
ing clean seed will often save much future trouble and yexation. The 
observing farmer will notice the means which nature has provided for the 
Se of seeds, and he will find that the most pernicious weeds seem 
ee to have been especially furnished with contrivances to facilitate their — 
<a The Cie, Denar’ A, sal she, eee ae 
