329 



other plants, are constantly, dnring the fi:rowins season, pnmping water 

 iTom the earth. Much of this nltlnnitely goes off into the air, and, as far 

 as crops are concerned, is wasted. For the formation of every pound of 

 dry matter in a corn crop, there are required 3<iO pounds of water. Often- 

 times crops suffer seriously for moisture owing to the presence of weeds, 

 and as a result these crops are much reduced in quantity and value. 



2. Weeds choke out the desired crops. No field can produce excellent 

 crops of corn or wheat and a heavy growth of weeds at the same time. 

 This, in agriculture, is as impossible as in physics it is impossible for two 

 bodies to occupy the same sjiace at the same time. When a heavy growth 

 of weeds is present, corn, ^•eg^z'tables or any other crop, are likely to be 

 weak and spindling. 



3. Weeds furnish a refuge and shelter for the protection and propa- 

 gation of insect and fungus enemies of crops. Fruit, vegetables and field 

 crops have very many more such enemies than is ordinarily realized. The 

 keeping down of weeds and the removal or plowing under of refuse mate- 

 rial, will in no small measure reduce insect and fungus enemies of crops. 



4. The presence of weeds in considerable quantity makes every opera- 

 tion on the farm — plowing, harrowing, seeding, cultivating, harvesting, 

 marketing, etc., more expensive. Further, on a farm where weeds are not 

 inteiligently and continuously combated, machinery is more short-lived, and 

 repairs are needed oftener. 



5. Property overrun with weeds is less attractive, and will not sell 

 as high as property giving indication of thrift, intelligence, and successful 

 management. Moreover, weeds are an offense to one's resthetic taste, 

 and an eyesore to all passers-by. 



In view of these facts, it is very plain that weeds are distinctly robbers, 

 and should be controlled and, where possible, eradicated. To deal eft'ect- 

 ively with weeds, it is necessary to know something of their characteristics, 

 their life history — are they annual or biennial or perennial? How do they 

 pi'opagate? When do they flower? When do they seed? Do they produce 

 large quantities of seed? Does this seed retain its vitality in the soil for 

 a long time or but a short time? To facilitate the gaining of information 

 on weeds from reading, lectures or conversation it is a decided advantage 

 to know common weeds at least l)y their connuonly accepted names. In 

 these later days it is not difficult to obtiiin a working knowledge of our 

 Indiana weeds. I'.ooks and bulletins covering the subject are available. 



