424 Other Managemeni of the VegetaUe-Oarden 



is in neglected areas that weeds are most prevalent,^ 

 along the roadside, in the run-out meadow or pasture, in 

 the barnyard or front yard, in the poorly tilled vegetable- 

 garden. Many farmers seem to think that good farming 

 consists in killing weeds and bugs; but the best farming 

 consists in not having them. Of course the farmer can- 

 not expect ever to be rid of these neighbors, but he should 

 think more of prevention than of eradication. 



A weed is a plant that is not wanted. Horse-radish 

 may be a weed in a potato field, and potatoes may be 

 weeds in a horse-radish field. Potatoes are weeds in po- 

 tato fields when potatoes are planted too thick. 



There is no royal road to weedless farming. Following 

 are some of the means of keeping weeds in check: 



1. Practice rotation; keep ahead of the weeds. Certain 

 weeds follow certain crops; when these weeds became seri- 

 ous, change the crop. 



2. Change the method of tillage. If a weed persists, 

 try deeper or shallower plowing, or a different kind of 

 harrow or cultivator, or till at different times and seasons. 



3. Harrow the land frequently when it is fallow or is 

 waiting for a crop. Harrow it, if possible, after seeding 

 and before the plants are high enough to be broken by the 

 implement. Potatoes, corn and other things can be har- 

 rowed after they are several inches high ; and sometimes 

 the land may be harrowed before the plants are up. 



4. Practice frequent tillage with light surface-working 

 tools throughout the season. This is hard on Weeds and 

 does the remaining plants (the crop) good. 



5. Pull or hoe out stray weeds that escape the wheel 

 tools. 



