CHAPTER XXIV 



Lawn and Garden Weeds 



THE average table of pests — whether insects, weeds or diseases — 

 is arranged alphabetically according to the scientific names of 

 the subjects. This is all right for scientists and librarians who 

 know these names and are interested more in the classification of the 

 troubles than in their cure or prevention. But it is of little value to 

 the practical gardener who doesn't care two straws what the Latin 

 name of a bug or a weed pest may be, but who is deeply concerned in 

 its habits and in the methods by means of which it can be eradicated. 



The following table of the most common lawn and garden weeds 

 is therefore made up along new lines. The first column lists the most 

 obvious characters of the weeds, whereby the causal observer may 

 recognize and begin to identify them. The next column suggests 

 their__ distribution; the third, the season when they are in bloom; the 

 next, their main habits and means of propagation; the next, brief , 

 directions as to how to destroy them; and the last two, their common 

 and botanical names (in case the reader desires to look them up in 

 other more exhaustive work) . The weeds listed are those which give 

 the greatest trouble in gardens, lawns and around homes, rather than 

 in meadows, pastures, field crops and waste places. 



Of course, weed destruction in a small garden or on a lawn where 

 intensive care can be given and handwork done if necessary, is relatively 

 easy. In any case, the principles of weed control are based on (1) 

 preventing the plants from maturing and scattering seed; (2) preventing 

 the introduction of new weeds, either in seed, manure, etc.; and (3) 

 preventing perennial weeds from making any top growth — in other 

 words, starving them out. 



Large individual perennials such as Dock, Plantain, etc., and 

 even Dandelion can be dug out with little effort and effectually disposed 

 of. Annual seed bearing weeds are best controlled by thorough 

 cultivation early in the season before the first crop has a chance to 

 reseed. Every weed killed in May means hundreds prevented thereafter. 



The biggest problem is encountered in fighting the perennials that 

 spread by means of roots tocks and underground stems. Cultivation 

 simply cuts up, distributes and helps to multiply these. If possible, 

 the best plan is to dig out the entire root system and burn it. Where 

 there is too much land for this, pigs will often clean up the weeds in a 

 season, or they can be smothered out with a heavy crop of Buckwheat 

 or Cabbage. Persistence is essential to success. 



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