461 



WEEDS AND THEIR SUPPRESSION. 



Any plant growing where it is not wanted is a weed. 

 It matters not if the plant in question is a useful one ; so long 

 as it is out of its place or occupying ground which is intended 

 for the growth of another crop, the plant for the time being 

 must be classed as a weed. According to this definition wheat, 

 potato, or rape plants among other crops are weeds. 



The term, however, is associated usually with plants such as 

 thistles, couch or charlock, which are not cultivated intentionally, 

 and against which a good farmer wages a relentless war. 



It is not needful to point out in detail the many ways 

 in which weeds interfere with profitable husbandry. The most 

 serious objection to them can be stated in a few words. In the 

 first place, they absorb manures and water from the soil which 

 would otherwise go to nourish and increase the yield of the crop 

 among which they grow. And, secondly, they crowd the crop, 

 and screen it from getting an adequate amount of light for 

 sturdy development and proper assimilation of the soil and air 

 constituents, which is so essential for healthy growth. This 

 screening effect, of course, is most damaging to the early life of 

 seedlings, and is especially injurious in the case of crops of 

 slow growth and those with small delicate leaves. The necessity 

 for a clean seed-bed for lucerne and carrots, for example, 

 is commonly understood, even if the practice is not always 

 carried out. ' > 



Every farmer recognises that it is not possible to obtain the 

 best returns from his land when weeds are allowed to grow 

 unchecked. Few, however, have any definite idea of the 

 diminution of yield brought about by these robbers of food, 

 water, light and air. Last season I had many opportunities of 

 examining the differences of yield on land which had been hoed 



