1904.] 



Destruction of Weeds. 



199 



irregular the loss is not so great as might be expected, as a catch 

 crop of mustard or late turnips is drilled between the rows of 

 roots in the months of July or August. The turnips grow 

 rapidly after the main root-crop of mangold has been drawn in 

 October. The mustard has been found useful in protecting the 

 mangolds from frost when, as may sometimes happen, it has 

 been found necessary to leave this crop standing well into 

 November. 



These catch crops make very useful feed for sheep in the 

 autumn and winter months, and are but very little damaged by 

 the harvesting of the main crop. 



In conclusion, I may remark that although the system I 

 have described is, if properly carried out, an effective and 

 relatively cheap method of suppressing annual weeds, it is 

 evident that care must be exercised also in other directions if 

 the best results are to be obtained. 



For instance, hedgerows and ditches must be properly cleaned 

 so that weeds may not mature there and so spread over the 

 fields ; screenings from the threshing-mill, sweepings from the 

 barn and hay-loft, &c, must not be thrown on to manure heaps 

 or left carelessly about, but must be destroyed — preferably by 

 burning. It is a common error to suppose that weed seeds are 

 easily destroyed by fermentation on manure heaps. 



One point may be mentioned here as likely to be of assistance 

 in some cases, and that is, where possible, put the manure made 

 from straw which has been grown upon heavy land on to the light 

 lands, and vice versa.. The reason is that many weeds which 

 grow upon the one kind of soil will not flourish on the other ; 

 some prefer light and others heavy land. This simple plan can 

 often be effectively carried out without trouble or expense. For 

 example, a stack of straw grown upon heavy land might be 

 put in the position which in the following winter will serve as 

 lambing yard, which position is sure to be selected on the lighter 

 portion of the farm. 



Again, it would be easy to give sheep, feeding on the heavy 

 portion of the farm, chaff and coulder from the lighter portion, 

 containing only light-land weeds. This principle can, of course, 

 be carried out in the stable, and also in connection with all 

 farm stock without extra work, given a little forethought. 



