2C2 



Weeds. 



fungi. Though these do not destroy the life of the plant outright, 

 they generally weaken it enough to prevent seed production, either 

 wholly or in part, and in this way the fungi aid in preventing the 

 propagation of the weed species. These fungi should therefore be re- 

 garded as friendly allies and cherished as such. Purslane, shep- 

 herd's purse, Canada thistle and bur grass are weeds that sometimes 

 suffer from the attacks of parasitic fungi. 



Domestic animals are sometimes available and very serviceable as 

 destroyers of pestilent weeds. Sheep readily eat many of the weeds of 

 pastures, and have acquired a good reputation as weed exterminators. 

 Hogs also are sometimes utilized in destroying patches of the noto- 

 rious and almost invincible live-forever. If they have access to this 

 plant they will soon root it out and destroy it. They are also said to 

 be fond of the creeping subterranean stems of the much-detested 

 quack grass, and doubtless they might successfully be employed in ex- 

 terminating it. Cultivated plants are sometimes wisely and success- 

 fully used as an aid in overcoming noxious weeds. A field is badly 

 infested by weeds. In early summer, after these have had time to 

 commence their growth, and the weed-seeds lying on or near the sur- 

 face have germinated, the field is plowed and fertilized. Buckwheat 

 is sowed. This is a crop which grows quickly and covers the ground 

 completely with its dense mass of branches, foliage and flowers. Any 

 weeds, from seeds that may have been brought to the surface in the 

 plowing, or that may spring from perennial roots, are soon over- 

 shadowed, and being deprived of the necessary air and sunlight, they 

 gradually give up the struggle and die. 



In the case of annual plants growing in pastures and waste places, 

 the theoretical method of easy and rapid destruction is to mow them 

 before they have developed their seeds. This mode of destruction is 

 based on the fact that such plants live but one year, and if they are not 

 permitted to perfect seed they cannot possibly appear the next season. 

 But it will not do to put too much confidence in this method. 

 However good it may seem in theory, it is liable to fail in practice. A 

 crop of annual weed-seeds may not all germinate the first season after 

 their sowing. Some may lie dormant till the second season and then 

 spring into life. I have already mentioned examples of annuals that 

 sometimes commence growth late in the season and renew it again the 

 following spring, thus behaving like biennials. Mowing down an 

 annual or a biennial before it has perfected its seed often checks it 

 only for a time. It again sends up stems which will bear fruit unless 

 again cut down. This mode of destroying the wild carrot has some- 



